The clock is ticking and the opening weekend of Barrow II’s British League campaign is drawing closer.
Last season, Barrow II narrowly escaped relegation from Division 2 North after moving from the foot of the table during the final weekend of play. This season, the team aims to turn last season’s 7th position into 1st, thus winning promotion to Division 1 North.
The first British League weekend, 11th and 12th of September, is to be played at Hyndburn Sports Centre in Accrington. Barrow II’s opponents include Sheffield who were relegated from Division 1 North last season as well as Derwent II, Halton II and Woodfield I who finished 3rd last season. Sheffield and Woodfield I stand out as the weekends two tough fixtures. However, with team squads yet to be released, there could be some hidden dangers lurking.
The Barrow II team is to be an all Barrow affair consisting of Jonathan Crawford, Scott Crawford, Tristran Swan and Tom Smith. Travelling with the team will be reserve player Graham Coupe from Garstang.
Barrow II (from): Jonathan Crawford, Scott Crawford, Tristran Swan, Tom Smith, Graham Coupe
Barrow II will be facing the following teams and players in Division 2 North of the British League 2010/2011 Season.
Chesterfield
Will Cooney
Andy Henry
Andrew Horsfield
Mark Short
Shaun Bibby
Steve Mason
Winston Spencer
Derwent II
Richard Moss
Mark Land
Mick Wilcockson
Richard Brearey
Nathan Horsley
Richard Crowther
Doug Bartle
Drumchapel Glasgow III
Richard Main
Terry McLernon (Junior)
Christopher Main
Calum Main
Scott Barton
Nathan Courtney
Andrew McFadyen
Andrew Dunlop
Halton II
Chris Ford
Mark Ramsbottom
Keith Bird
Pawel Orzechowski
Fiona Dennett
Ernest Mpundu
Keith Williams
Graham Cleary
Ormesby III
Karen Shepherd
Eddie Fambely
Martin Rutter
Paul Smith
Michael Young
Chloe Whyte
Karl Shaw
Carl White
Sheffield
Bill Grant
Peter Morgan
Jack Grant
Liam Carson
Glen Carson
Woodfield I
Andy Rich
John Collymore
Leigh Hipkins
Jarenda Patel
Steve Bertie
Billy Pegg
Andrew Dixon
Lester Bertie
Barrow I British League Premier Division Fixtures
Southall
UB1 1DP
Southall
UB1 1DP
Old Harlow
CM17 0EY
Old Harlow
CM17 0EY
Widnes
WA8 7DZ
Middlesborough
TS3 8PB
Middlesborough
TS3 8PB
Barrow II British League Division 2 North Fixtures
Accrington
BB5 4EP
Accrington
BB5 4EP
Sheffield
S9 5DA
Sheffield
S9 5DA
Widnes
WA8 7DZ
Draycott
DE72 3NJ
Draycott
DE72 3NJ
British League Division 2 North Final Table
British League Division 2 North Results
Barrow II Player Averages
British League Division 2 North First Weekend Table
British League Division 2 North Results
Barrow II Player Averages
Chesterfield and Burton Uxbridge lead the way with seven points, although Burton may have a slight advantage as they have already beaten third-placed Halton II who have five points. It is fair to say that this Division is yet to sort itself out. Chesterfield’s blip came in round three against Derwent II (four points from the weekend) who won all four games from the numbers one and two positions. Richard Moss scored two superb wins over Andy Henry (11-8, 11-8, 2-11, 15-13) and Andrew Horsfield (7-11, 8-11, 11-2, 11-7, 11-4) and Chris Loxston excelled as well. Loxston beat both Andrew Horsfield (11-7, 11-9, 7-11, 11-7) and James Brown (15-13, 11-13, 10-12, 11-9, 11-8). Derwent were in the driving seat. Could they take the match ?. The answer turned out to be “no”. Chesterfield no. four Shaun Bibby won both of his singles defeating Mick Wilcockson 8-11, 11-8, 12-10, 9-11, 11-7 and Richard Crowther 11-6, 12-14, 11-4, 11-5 to keep his team in the hunt.
Chesterfield returned to winning ways in round four whitewashing Barrow Fastbats II 8-0 with Andrew Horsfield, Andy Henry, James Brown and Shaun Bibby carrying all before them. Barrow (and particular Steve Temple) will justifiably feel a little hard done by losing both games narrowly that went to the fifth end. They say that fortunes favours the brave, or, in Table Tennis the winning team and that was the case here. Andy Henry prevailed 12-10, 11-7, 6-11, 6-11, 12-10 against Temple and Andrew Horsfield also beat the gallant Temple, this time by an agonising 10-12, 13-11, 11-9, 7-11, 12-10.
Burton Uxbridge impressed greatly, beating Halton II 7-1. The scoreline flattered them, as they won all three five-enders (another case of fortune favouring the winning team), but, it was still a strong performance from the Burton side. Alastair McTavish scored two hard-fought wins, beating Keith Bird
(12-14, 13-11, 11-8, 8-11, 11-6) and Jake Shaw (11-7, 10-12, 11-9, 11-9) whilst Russell Boome also played his part. He beat newcomer Paul Orzechowski (10-12, 11-7, 11-4, 11-9) as well as Keith Bird (11-6, 5-11, 11-5, 9-11, 11-7).
Burton’s dropped point came (like Chesterfield) against Derwent II, in the first round. Richard Moss took the Player of the Match Award, and deservedly so. He beat both Alastair McTavish (11-6, 8-11, 11-7, 11-8) and Russell Boome (11-8, 13-11, 8-11, 11-9) as his side moved into a 3-2 lead. McTavish levelled the scores by getting the better of Mick Wilcockson 11-8, 11-9, 11-9 but Chris Loxston restored Derwent’s advantage as he saw off David Savage 11-8, 11-9, 11-13, 11-7. Burton were relieved to get a draw although Paznarcyk Bednarczak always looked like beating Nathan Horsley and duly ran out a 11-5, 11-6, 11-8 winner.
Having drawn with the two leading sides you would expect to see Derwent listed amongst the challengers, but, they tasted defeat in round four when beaten 5-3 by Drumchapel Glasgow II. It wasn’t such a happy game for Richard Moss, beaten by both Andrew McFadden (3-2) and Chris Main (3-1)
as Drumchapel raced into a 3-0 and 4-1 lead. Rebecca Russell secured victory for her side by getting the better of Richard Crowther 11-9, 4-11, 11-6, 11-8.
Halton II’s fine 5-3 victory over Drumchapel Glasgow II leaves the Scottish team on four points. Halton excelled in this match. They won all four five setters. Andrew McFadyen set the tone in the first match, fighting back from 2-0 down to get the better of Keith Bird 8-11, 9-11, 11-3, 11-6, 11-6 whilst Rebecca Russell also showed real determination. She fought back from 2-0 down to beat Caroline Hallows 8-11, 5-11, 11-8, 11-7, 11-7. There was no joy for Caroline Hallows against Andrew McFadyen either, she led 2-0 before Andrew hauled his way back into contention to triumph 5-11, 8-11, 11-3, 13-11, 11-4.






