I continue to be amazed by the progress of Stigaboy and surely at just 8 years old he has a head start on many of England’s current crop of top players. I just hope he continues to feel the force and is able to utilise his superpowers to resist the evil forces of Darth Playstation and Emperor Xbox.

Happy 8th Birthday Stigaboy!

Here are some photos from last weekend when Barrow TTC were crowned champions of the British League. A full report is to follow.

Barrow TTC is heading into the biggest weekend of the Clubs history.

It is hard to believe, but just a year ago Barrow’s first team spectacularly won promotion to the British League Premier Division. Now, just one year on, the team is on the verge of winning the premier British table tennis team title at the first attempt.

Barrow, determined not to fall at the final hurdle, will have a full team present including Paul Drinkhall, the newly crowned English National Champion. Darius Knight will also be making the long journey from the Polish Open to play for Barrow. As impressive as Knight’s journey is, it will be eclipsed by that of team manager Tristran Swan who is travelling a whopping 6400 miles from China to be at the potentially historic weekend.

Over the weekend, Barrow will be looking to hold on to their slender two point lead as they face fifth placed Westfield I, sixth placed Ormesby I, fourth placed DHS Greenhouse Progress I and third placed Fusion I.

Barrow I from: Paul Drinkhall, Gavin Rumgay, Darius Knight, Sebastian Laux, Bradley Evans, Jonathan Crawford, Scott Crawford

Last weekend was an important one for Barrow II, as the team aimed to realise their ambition for promotion to Division 1 North of the British League. With a perfect record going into the weekend, Barrow II were the favourites. Though tough opposition, particularly in the form of Drumchapel Glasgow III and title contenders Chesterfield stood in the way.

Barrow II vs. Woodfield

Barrow II’s previous fixture against Woodfield ended in a 6-2 victory for the Barrow team. On that occasion, Woodfield’s Andy Rich claimed the scalps of Barrow’s Jonathan Crawford and Scott Crawford. The Crawford brothers will have been relieved to see Rich missing for this match.

Jonathan Crawford was simply too strong for Leigh Hipkins (11-4, 11-4, 11-4) and Scott Crawford overcame the tricky John Collymore (6-11, 11-6, 12-10, 11-8). A nervy Tristran Swan got the better of Liam Farmer (12-10, 11-5, 9-11, 11-9) and stepping in for the injured Tom Smith, Graham Coupe was quick to prove his worth and get his name on the score sheet with a battling win over Jarendra Patel (5-11, 6-11, 12-10, 11-9, 11-3) to give Barrow II a faultless 4-0 start.

The second half went much the way of the first with Jonathan Crawford beating John Collymore (11-7, 11-9, 10-12, 11-9), Swan beating Hipkins (11-4, 9-11, 11-8, 11-5) and Scott Crawford beating Patel (11-9, 11-9, 11-7). Coupe was close to an impeccable start, but was in need of a couple of extra points to get the better of Farmer (9-11, 11-9, 9-11, 9-11).

Match Score: Barrow II 7 – 1 Woodfield
Barrow II: Jonathan Crawford (2), Scott Crawford (2), Tristran Swan (2), Graham Coupe (1)
Woodfield: John Collymore (0), Leigh Hipkins (0), Jarendra Patel (0), Liam Farmer (1)

Barrow II vs. Drumchapel Glasgow III

Barrow II won the previous encounter with Drumchapel Glasgow III 8-0, a score line that took even the Barrow team by surprise. Barrow II certainly weren’t expecting things to be as easy this time against a young and dangerous Drumchapel Glasgow III.

From the start, the match didn’t go to plan as Scott Crawford failed to penetrate the sharp looking Drumchapel Number 1 Calum Main (11-7, 11-13, 9-11, 5-11). Thankfully for Barrow, the ship was steadied as brother Jonathan Crawford stepped into the court showing the sort of form that has deserted him for much of the season. Jonathan beat the much-improved Scott Barton (11-7, 11-5, 16-14).

Graham Coupe was on fire as he produced possibly his best win to date against Nathan Courtney (11-9, 5-11, 12-10, 3-11, 11-7) to put Barrow II back on track. With the Barrow team visibly lifted and once again buoyant, Tristran Swan fed of the mistakes of Andrew McFadyen (13-11, 11-6, 11-5) to give Barrow II a 3-1 lead at the halfway point.

Jonathan Crawford then went on to produce his best table tennis of the season. Hitting the ball sweet and at times with unreturnable venom, Jonathan always looked in control as he beat Drumchapel’s Main (11-6, 11-4, 3-11, 11-8). Scott Crawford then overcame Courtney (11-5, 15-13, 13-11), whilst Swan didn’t have an answer for the serves and short play of Barton (12-14, 6-11, 6-11). For Coupe, a satisfying afternoon was concluded with a superb win over McFadyen (10-12, 11-5, 11-6, 11-6) to give Barrow II a very respectable 6-2 win.

Match Score: Barrow II 6 – 2 Drumchapel Glasgow III
Barrow II: Jonathan Crawford (2), Scott Crawford (1), Tristran Swan (1), Graham Coupe (2)
Drumchapel Glasgow III: Calum Main (1), Scott Barton (1), Nathan Courtney (0), Andrew McFadyen (0)

Barrow II vs. Chesterfield

Barrow II’s previous encounter with Chesterfield is what defines the standings at the top of the table. On that occasion, a strong team of Bradley Evans, Jonathan Crawford, Scott Crawford and Steve Dixon took the fixture 5-3 to give Barrow II a two-point advantage at the top of the table.

This time around, Barrow II had a very different lineup against an unchanged Chesterfield (William Cooney, Andy Henry, Andrew Horsefield, Mark Short). As such, this match had the potential to be a game of two halves. With Barrow II on paper boasting a stronger 1 and 2 and Chesterfield greater depth at 3 and 4, a draw looked to be on the cards and it is this that Barrow were playing for.

To start, Chesterfield’s Andy Henry struggled to read Jonathan Crawford’s deceptive serves (11-4, 11-6). Come the third set, he seemed to have the hang of them (8-11). Although Jonathan wasn’t playing as well as the previous day, he managed to close Henry out in the fourth set to give Barrow II a very important early lead (11-9).

Barrow’s lead was extended as Scott Crawford held his nerve after loosing the first set to Will Cooney (9-11, 11-7, 11-7, 11-5). As expected, Tristran Swan went down to the consistent Mark Short (4-11, 10-12, 8-11) and Graham Coupe lost out to the intelligent play of Andrew Horsefield (7-11, 5-11, 5-11). This left the match score 2-2 at the halfway point and Barrow II needing two more games to more or less guarantee them the title.

In the first of two crunch games for Barrow, Chesterfields Cooney failed to convert chances, aiding Jonathan Crawford to victory (14-12, 11-9, 12-10). Tristran Swan then failed to get the better of Andy Henry to leave the match perilously tight at three a-piece.

In possibly the most entertaining match of the weekend, much to the delight of the Barrow team, Scott Crawford got the better of Andrew Horsefield (11-8, 12-10, 11-4) to guarantee Barrow a valuable draw and possibly the title. This lifted any pressure off Coupe as he faced Short. Despite a strong start by Coupe (10-12), Short went on to control the game and earn Chesterfield the conciliation of a draw (2-11, 6-11).

Match Score: Barrow II 4 – 4 Chesterfield
Barrow II: Jonathan Crawford (2), Scott Crawford (2), Tristran Swan (0), Graham Coupe (0)
Chesterfield: William Cooney (0), Andy Henry (1), Andrew Horsefield (1), Mark Short (2)

Barrow II vs. Ormesby III

In the first half of the season, Barrow II beat Ormesby III 6-2. On that occasion, Tristran Swan lost out to Martin Rutter and Michael Young just got the better of Graham Coupe.

To start, Ormesby’s Karen Shepherd played an excellent and effective counter-hitting game against Barrow’s Scott Crawford. However, Crawford managed to hang on and clinch the game in a dramatic 5th set (14-12, 9-11, 6-11, 11-6, 11-9). Jonathan Crawford then proceeded to ease past Martin Rutter (11-5, 12-10, 11-5) and Graham Coupe beat Michael Young (11-6, 10-12, 11-5, 11-9). Tristran Swan then battled through against Chloe Whyte (11-9, 8-11, 11-6, 5-11, 11-5) to guarantee Barrow the draw they needed to win the division.

The second half of the game followed the first. Once again Karen Shepherd played well, but lost out to Jonathan Crawford (11-9, 12-10, 12-10). Scott Crawford beat Michael Young (11-9, 11-6, 11-9), Tristran Swan did well to fight back and beat Martin Rutter (11-13, 10-12, 11-5, 11-5, 11-5) whilst Graham Coupe frustrated Chloe Whyte (11-5, 11-9, 12-14, 11-8) to earn Barrow II a convincing 8-0 win.

Match Score: Barrow II 8 – 0 Ormesby III
Barrow II: Jonathan Crawford (2), Scott Crawford (2), Tristran Swan (2), Graham Coupe (2)
Ormesby III: Karen Shepherd (0), Martin Rutter (0), Michael Young (0), Chloe Whyte (0)

I have quit my job and next Monday I will be setting off for a month long stint behind the ‘Great Firewall of China’. I would like to say it will be a table tennis frenzy, but whilst there I will be getting my head down on a new professional challenge.

I have accepted a unique position with the Tara Jewels Group to develop a new sports jewellery brand, Vinqui. The project is very ambitious, well backed and will be developing at a rapid rate.

I’ll do my best to keep you all posted (and thanks to my girlfriend Lexi Turnbull for being so supportive!).

This weekend, at Draycott and Long Eaton Table Tennis Centre, the champions of Division 2 North of the British League will be decided.

Occupying pole position, Barrow II have spent the last week preparing. Despite being undefeated so far, the team have a slender 2-point advantage over Chesterfield and the youthful Barrow team understands there is no leeway for slip-ups.

Over the weekend, Barrow II will face some tough opposition from: sixth placed Woodfield I, third placed Drumchapel Glasgow III, second placed Chesterfield (championship deciding game) and seventh placed Ormesby III.

Barrow II (from): Bradley Evans, Jonathan Crawford, Scott Crawford, Tristran Swan, Graham Coupe

Tomorrow (26th January 2011) sees the start of the 66th English Open at Sheffield. With Wang Hao, Zhang Jike, Ma Lin, Xu Xin, Wang Liqin and Chen Qi all present, for the worldwide audience it will be all about the Chinese.

I was unfortunate enough to be there for last years Ma Long/Ma Lin final. To be honest, it was as boring as some local league matches that I have to endure. For me this year, with the rise of the Barrow team, it will be all about our players as well as the rest of sizeable British contingent.

English Open Draw: Men’s U21s

Paul Drinkhall, Darius Knight and Liam Pitchford are seeded.

English Open Draw: Men’s Singles

Paul Drinkhall and Andrew Baggaley are seeded.

During the day, I work as a Software Engineer on a Social Shopping site. Social Shopping is a shopping slant on the whole social networking thing we hear so much about and either love or hate.

I personally love the whole social media realm and in my spare time enjoy following the latest developments and news. Indeed, during the night I spend a lot of time updating and managing Barrow TTC’s many online social presences (as I’m sure you are all aware).

It seems that my love of table tennis and social media hasn’t gone unnoticed. Last week I was interviewed by PrimeTimePingPong and asked to discuss my two loves.

You can see an extract of the interview below. For the full interview, click here.

If you have any social media questions or want to discuss social media, please leave your questions/comments below.

When asked his advice for table tennis clubs starting out with social media, he (Tristran Swan) offers a word of warning about being too self-promotional rather than interesting and helpful. He says that people will eventually block it out much in the same way they do with other forms of advertising. “It’s almost like looking at an advert on the right hand side of the screen. You know it’s there, but it just doesn’t register.”

“It’s just trial and error. Even social media experts don’t always know what will work right away. Just find out what works best for you. It’s a very niche area at the end of the day. Just go with it and be brave. As long as you’re not offending anyone it doesn’t matter.”

“Just get useful information people find interesting on there. Give some sort of value-added service and people will keep coming back.”

Many people ask what software I use to create the Barrow TTC videos. I use the sometimes quirky iMovie ’09 on a MacBook Pro. Well, I use to at least.

At the weekend the syrupy sugar enriched liquid that goes by the name of Ribena ambushed the Mac. The Mac was fried within a split second and it seems it never stood a chance against the energy fuelled substance. Despite days of air drying, the Mac is no more.

This loss has reduced me to a single Windows 7 1.8GHz Core Duo laptop (not the most powerful beast). I have used Windows Movie Maker in the past to make videos on this machine. However, after having videos copied from YouTube, a requirement is to brand videos with the Barrow TTC logo. This is not possible in Movie Maker.

So, here is a question for you movie making moguls – What video editing software would you recommend?