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14th. April, 2012
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Scott Crawford is New Town
Champion!
Scott Crawford is the new Town
Champion following the annual Barrow
and District Town Tournament held
this week.
In an enthralling final, Scott beat
his older brother Jonathan 3-1 in a
game which contained scintillating
rallies of the highest quality.
En route to the final, Scott had
comfortably won his group with wins
over Callum Dymond, Matt O'Flynn,
Paul Croft, Stephen Cairns and
Duncan Crawford, with Duncan and
Stephen taking an end off him.
Jonathan meanwhile, won his group
with five wins, all three-straight,
defeating Paul Ackred, Steve Bushell,
Keith Mallinson, Jack Walker and Ben
O'Flynn.
The two other semi-finalists were
Steve Bushell and Callum Dymond.
Steve impressed with four
hard-fought wins, with Callum also
doing well, winning four games
three-straight, and winning his game
against Matt O'Flynn in four.
In the Semi-Finals, Scott defeated
Steve Bushell in three, and Jonathan
beat Callum.
In the Veterans competition, Steve
Bushell emerged as overall winner,
following wins over Matt O'Flynn,
Peter Buxton, Stephen Murray and
Paul Ackred. Stephen Cairns got the
better of Steve three-straight, but
lost out to Matt O'Flynn and Paul
Ackred. Paul and Matt had earlier
been involved in a superb match,
which Matt eventually won 12-10 in
the fifth. The three St. Columba
players were tied with three wins
a-piece, but Paul came out as
runner-up by virtue of a superior
ends difference.
Eleven entered the handicap event,
with Table-Tennis Club's Chris Lloyd
the outright winner. Chris (+26) had
defeated Ben O'Flynn (+30), Keith
Onions (+22), Stephen Cairns (+11)
and Stephen Murray (+23) to top his
group, with Ben and Stephen Murray
also playing well to take two wins
a-piece, the latter qualifying as
group runner-up.
In what was once again an all-junior
final, Chris met Jack Walker (+21),
also from Table-Tennis Club. In an
entertaining final with some good
table-tennis from both players,
Chris emerged victorious 21-15,
21-15, avenging defeat in the
identical final of 2011.
In the other group, it was Jack
Walker (+21) who had swept aside all
before him, with wins over Peter
Buxton (+16), Matt O'Flynn (+12),
Paul Ackred (+12), Paul Croft (+25)
and Anton Vacca (+22). Jack, went on
to defeat Stephen Murray in the
semi-final, as Anton who had
finished as group runner-up lost out
to Chris.
The organiser would like to thank
both Caitlin Walker and Keith Onions
for their assistance.
S.C.
Dowdales Finish Third and Fourth in
England at Table-Tennis
271
teams qualified as County champions from
across England in eight categories
before Christmas, and this was whittled
down considerably at the Zone Finals
across the Country in January, and the
Regional Finals in February to the last
thirty-two in England. In that final
thirty-two (from twenty different
counties) were two teams from Dowdales
School, representing Cumbria and the
region in the National Final. This was
held at Hinckley Leisure Centre in
Leicestershire (near Coventry) on
Saturday 24th. March.
The
Under 16 Girls featured England
International and ex-Askam pupil Emily
Bolton, together with two other
ex-pupils, Eleanor Sedgwick and Robyn
Halcrow. They were joined by former
Victoria Junior School pupil Georgia
Stanway.
The
team had three schools to play from
across England, and the quartet got off
to the perfect start by winning their
opening match 5-3, with two wins from
Emily, two from Jasmine and one from
Georgia. Georgia almost had a second
win, just losing out in a tense fifth
end.
The
girls' next games were all entertaining
encounters with some superb table-tennis
played from all. Dowdales lost both the
games 2-6, with Emily deserving great
credit for going undefeated in all six
games, dropping only one end in a
National Final.
This meant the Under 16s finished third
in England, so many congratulations to
Emily, Eleanor, Georgia and Jasmine.
The
Under 13s were oh-so-close in two of
their matches, losing both 3-5- but were
within a whisker of making it 4-4 in
both encounters.
Robyn Halcrow, Katie Sedgwick, Tara
Tappenden and Lucy Woods- all ex-Askam
pupils- were making their second trip to
the National Finals, after finishing
fourth last year in the Under 11
category. Now all in Year 7, they were
at the youngest end of their new Under
13 age category, so the going was always
going to be tough.
In
the first match, Dowdales just missed
out 3-5, with two wins for Tara and one
for Robyn. Katie could count herself
unlucky not to meet the opposing team's
Number 2, with the Numbers 3 and 4
appearing to be considerably stronger.
Dowdales lost the next match 0-8, and
although Katie did not win, she played
exceptionally well against the Numbers 1
and 3, almost taking what would have
been an amazing win against the National
Champions to-be. Tara also almost
sneaked a win, just losing out in the
fifth.
The
final match was very close, with
Dowdales again just losing out 3-5. This
time, there was a win-a-piece for Robyn,
Tara and Lucy. Other games were very
close, especially one involving Robyn,
who just missed out on a second win.
The
four girls played well under a lot of
pressure. They finished fourth in
England. Congratulations to them.
Thank you to Mrs. Winter and Mr. Seal.
S.C
Dowdales Pupils Triumphant in Northern
Regional Final
Both the Under 13 and Under 16
Girls' teams from Dowdales are through to
the National Final and the last four in
England, as they emerged triumphant from
the Northern Regional Finals held at
Blackburn on Saturday 24th. February.
The Under 16 Girls had a straight
final to play, and this was against
Garstand High School from Lancashire.
Their Number One, Kelly Southward,
is a talented player, and she defeated
Eleanor three straight, but Emily
levelled the scores with a comfortable
3-0 win over the Number Two, Jessica Hay.
Jasmine played well to beat Laura Swift
11-8, 11-1, 11-5. Georgia continued the
good run of results for Dowdales with a
fine 11-9, 14-12, 11-8 win over Hazel
Danson. Emily wasted no
time against Kelly (11-6, 11-4, 11-2),
and Eleanor defeated Laura
three-straight- 12-10, 11-4, 11-2.
Jessica and Hazel beat Georgia and
Jasmine respectively to make the final match score
5-3 to Dowdales, with the Northern
Regional title deservedly going to the
Dalton School. Emily, Jasmine and
Eleanor are all ex-Askam pupils, with
ex-Askamite Georgia from Victoria
Juniors.
The Under 13 Girls' competition was
rather more eventful and a much closer
affair. The squad of Robyn, Katie and
Tara were really up against it before a
point was even played, as they only had
three players. To overcome this massive
disadvantage, they would have to be at
the top of their game, and fortunately
they were!
And what a first match it was!
Dowdales took on Bradford Girls School.
Sophie Yung, Bradford's Number One,
defeated Katie 11-8, 11-7, 11-4, but
Robyn levelled proceedings with a fine
11-7, 11-5, 11-8 win over Philipa
Blakeley, their Number Two. Saffron
Smith's game against Number Four
automatically went down as an expensive
11-0, 11-0, 11-0 win for Bradford. Tara
avenged this, however, with an excellent
11-0, 11-0, 11-1 win over the Number
Four, Tamara Smith- and this comfortable
win was critical to Dowdales' success.
Also of great importance was Robyn
managing to take an end off the Number
One, Sophie, despite going down in four
ends. Robyn lost 11-2, 1-11, 7-11, 4-11.
The first end though would prove to be
of great significance! It was then
Katie's turn to play a crucial part in
proceedings, with a super 11-1, 11-0,
11-2 win over Saffron. Tara had
everyone's hearts in their mouths when
she lost the first end against Philipa
9-11, but soon took charge of the
situation coming back to steal the game
11-4, 11-2, 11-2. Tamara automatically
got a 11-0, 11-0, 11-0 in the final
game.
This meant the match score was 4-4,
and the ends were tied (hence the
importance of Robyn's first end) at
13-13. So, it came down to points
difference, and Katie's and Tara's
convincing wins over Saffron and Tamara
meant that Dowdales finished on +6
points (183-177).
The Under 13's next game was
against Woodbrook Vale, from Loughborough,
Leicestershire.
Despite starting 2-0 down, Dowdales soon
rallied to the cause, and produced
comfortable 3-0 wins in all six games,
with Robyn, Katie and Tara never
troubled by any of their opponents.
Dowdales' final match was always
going to be close, as Fairfield had
beaten Bradford Girls 5-3. The winners
of this contest would, therefore, progress to the
National Final.
Zoe Hindley defeated Katie in five
ends in an enthralling and eventful
contest- 11-5, 9-11, 7-11, 11-5, 11-8.
Robyn was on fire in the next game,
winning 11-1, 11-5, 11-5 against their
Number Two, Jemma Hemmings. Jade Taylor
automatically gained an 11-0, 11-0, 11-0
win, before Tara played well to defeat
Kaitland Higgins 11-6, 11-9, 11-6. Robyn
continued her good form with a
comprehensive win over Zoe 11-4, 11-5,
11-2. Katie did well to beat Jade 11-5,
13-11, 11-6, and Tara wrapped up a 5-3
win with an 11-3, 11-2, 11-6 victory
over Kaitland. A super performance from
the three girls- all ex-Askam pupils-
and a deserved place once again in the
National Final- repeating their success
from last year at Under 11 level.
The Dowdales Under 16 Boys' team
were also in action, having done
extremely well to qualify from the Zone
Finals in Billingham. They too were
initially without a fourth player until
ex-Askam pupil Keir stepped into the
fold. Keir had been practising hard for
the competition since Wednesday, and
this was always going to be a big ask
playing against players up to four years
older than him.
The boys' first match was against
Beckfoot, from Bingley, West Yorkshire.
After a tentative start, Jack lost out
to Sam Whitaker in three, with Jack
gaining in confidence just losing out
10-12 in the third. Chris took an end
off William Nash in a game that
eventually went William's way- 11-8,
9-11, 11-4, 11-4. Matty pulled a game
back for Dowdales, defeating Tom West
18-16, 11-7, 11-1. Despite playing well,
Keir lost out to Sam West 6-11, 4-11,
7-11. Jack lost to William, and Matty
missed out against Sam Whitaker, but
Chris played very well to beat Sam West
11-4, 7-11, 11-3, 11-4. The final game
saw Keir just losing out to Tom 7-11,
6-11, 6-11, making the final match score
2-6.
Dowdales' next game was against
Calday Grange Grammar School from West
Kirkby, Merseyside. It is fair to say
this was a very strong team, and despite
their best efforts, Jack, Matty, Chris
and Keir went down 0-8. The closest game
saw Matty just losing out to David Eckl
in five: 11-5, 3-11, 7-11, 11-9, 16-18-
an enthralling contest and one which he
was unlucky to lose.
The boys' final game saw them take
on Skegness Grammar School from
Lincolnshire. Some excellent
table-tennis was on display in this game
from all the players. Dowdales
eventually lost this 2-6, with wins
coming from Matty and Chris. Keir nearly
grabbed a third, just missing out 9-11
in the fifth and deciding end against
his opponent. He, along with the other
boys, played very well throughout the
day and with such a high standard of
opponents, finishing fourth in the North
of England is a great achievement. Well
done to Jack, Matty, Chris and Keir.
Meanwhile, the following day,
Sunday 26th. February, saw the Under 11
boys from St. Columba go oh-so-close.
The talented quartet of Ryan, Finlay,
Louis and Sam had qualified as Zone
Runners-up, and travelled to Grantham to
participate in the Regional Final.
The Walney boys had winning 4-4
draws against both Croyland Primary
School, Wellingborough,
Northamptonshire, and Priorslee Primary
Academy, Telford, Shropshire. This meant
they needed to defeat Redlands Primary
School from Worksop, Nottinghamshire.
Unfortunately, despite their best
efforts and some very close games, Ryan,
Finlay, Louis and Sam just went down 1-7
at the final hurdle, but played
exceptionally well to finish as
runners-up.
The National Final is at Hinckley
Leisure Centre on Saturday 24th. March.
Everyone at Askam Village School wishes
all the girls the very best of luck in
this prestigious event.
Congratulations to the above six
players- the youngest team in the
competition- a wonderful team
performance.
S.C.
Local Stars Shine in Games
The experience of a lifetime awaited
three local youngsters taking part
in the UK School Games games held in
South Wales recently. Scott
Crawford, Tom Smith and Emily
Standing all competed for the
North-West of England.
The contingent from the area watched
a spectacular, if rain-affected,
opening ceremony which saw speeches
from various dignitaries, a
fire-work display, a break-dancing
performance, a stunning youth choir
and a dramatic laser show.
Following the team parade, the boys
from the North-West- two from the
Barrow area- and others including
Joshua Boult, Stephen Nickols and
David Mcbeath, played their first
match. This was against the
South-West of England. Former
Dowdales pupil Scott defeated John
Evans 3-0, and fellow ex-Dowdalian
Tom played Richard Andrews, losing
out 3-0.
The team played Scotland in the
afternoon. Tom was in action again,
playing well but just going down to
Scott Barton 3-1. Scott was on great
form to beat Sean Doherty 3-0.
The following day, the boys were in
action again. The morning session
saw them take on the cream of South
East England. Both Scott and Tom
lost their matches despite playing
well. The afternoon saw the
North-West take on the North-East.
Tom sat out this match, but Scott
managed to win both of his games
3-1.
Playing for fifth place in the
play-off against Scotland, a tense
set of matches ensued, with the
North-West just losing out to the
team north of the border.
The final day saw the Individual
competition take place. Although Tom
played very well against some of the
best players in the country, he was
knocked out in the first round.
Scott did extremely well to progress
through the first round, eventually
getting knocked out in Round Two by
a top player.
Emily's performance will be detailed
here shortly.
Following the medal ceremony and
disco, the competition closed, but
for the three Furness youngsters,
the memories will live on for quite
some time. Congratulations to them
all.
S.C.
Standing Rises to the Occasion
Table-Tennis
hot-shot Emily Standing recently won
the Hereford Open Women’s Band Three
Tournament. The former Dowdales
pupil clinched the title after an
epic five-end encounter which saw
her edge out her opponent Charlotte
Airey deuce in the fifth to win the
competition.
Emily had
recovered well from an earlier loss
to Norwegian Anja Esketveit, and
went on to defeat Laura Price in her
group. In the Semi-Final, Emily
found herself two games to one down
against Charlotte Spencer, but the
resilient sixteen year-old from
Askam, fought back to win in five to
book her place in the final.
Emily has been
causing quite a stir recently on the
tournament circuit, and this win
caps an impressive season for her,
having been crowned Barrow Junior
Town Tournament winner earlier in
the year. Emily has also experienced
success in the Kendal League,
winning both the Handicap and
Mixed-Doubles titles.
S.C.
Barrow and District Table-Tennis League
Annual Town Tournament 2009
Tom Smith is the new ‘Town Champion’
following the annual Barrow and District
Table-Tennis league Town Tournament.
The youngster, a pupil at Dowdales
School, and who plays for Furness
Cricket Club, comfortably won his group
beating Jonathon Miles and Stephen
Murray on the way, and defeating Gareth
Brunton three-straight in the
quarter-final. Tom’s excellent run
continued with a comprehensive win over
Jonathon in the Semi-Final, whom he met
for a second time.
The final itself had the makings of a
classic, but ultimately failed to live
up to its billing as Tom was
unstoppable. He defeated Millom’s Neil
Smith- a former town champion on a
number of occasions- 11-8, 11-5, 11-8.
Tom, from Askam, impressed with his
brilliant reactions and ability to
return smashes and then counter-hit.
Neil Smith had earlier won his group,
winning his games against Dave Coulter
and Ray Schwer 3-0. Stephen Cairns won
Group 3, defeating Gareth Brunton, Keith
Mallinson and the rapidly improving
Oliver Shipley all three-straight.
Gareth, with two wins, progressed as
runner-up.
Steve Bushell was a man on fire in Group
4, defeating Stefan Wetherburn, Emily
Standing and Tony Whitehouse. Steve was,
however, made to work very hard for his
wins, eventually extinguishing the
threat of Emily 11-9 in the fifth, and
Tony 11-7 in the fifth. Tony went
through as group runner-up.
In the other quarter-finals, Neil Smith
beat Tony Whitehouse in four, Jonathon
Miles edged out Stephen Cairns 11-9 in
the fifth, and Steve Bushell knocked-out
Dave Coulter.
In the second semi-final, Neil Smith
defeated Steve Bushell 11-6, 11-7,
10-12, 11-9 to meat Tom in the final,
but the night belonged to the talented
sixteen year-old youngster.
Emily Standing became ‘Junior Town
Champion’ for the first time after a
sensational display in the final. She
had earlier beaten Oliver, and had been
made to work hard by the very talented
Stefan Wetherburn who nearly caused an
upset. However, the St. Columba player
rose to the occasion, winning 11-7 in
the fifth after a fierce contest.
Tom Smith, unsurprisingly, was the other
finalist, and he had comfortably won his
matches.
Having just become town champion in the
open singles with a thrilling display,
Tom was clear favourite to take the
junior title as well. However, Emily was
a girl on form and her hitting was
unstoppable.
Emily, also from Dowdales, and a former
pupil of Askam Village School, played
some of the best table-tennis of her
life to take the title 9-11, 11-9, 11-6,
11-4.
This was a classic final that fully
lived up to its billing and was enjoyed
by the appreciative audience. The
quality of the table-tennis on show was
of a very high standard from both
players.
If Neil Smith was disappointed to lose
the ‘Open Singles’ final, he could take
consolation from winning the ‘Veterans’
title in fine style. The Millom player
won all his group games, defeating Derek
Harker, John Harrison and Keith
Mallinson. The game against Keith was
extremely close, with Neil just pulling
through 15-13 in the deciding end. Neil
met St. Columba player Matt O’Flynn in
the semi-final, winning three straight.
Dave Coulter won Group 2, with wins over
Steve Bushell, Stephen Murray and Paul
Acyred.
Tony Whitehouse won Group 3, with a win
over Ray Schwer and narrow five-end
victories over Les Shaw and Matt O‘Flynn,
both playing particularly well.
Dave overcame Tony in the Semi-final to
book his place in the showdown with Neil
in the final.
In the event, the highly-talented Millom
player ran out as 11-7, 12-10, 11-2
winner against Dave.
Paul Ackred was the deserving recipient
of the ‘Handicap’ title in an event
which attracted eighteen entries.
Tom Smith had won group one, with wins
over Stephen Cairns and Jonathon Miles.
Les Shaw (+8) proved too resilient for
Tom. It was, however, Jonathon who went
through as runner-up, with wins over
both Les and Stephen. Stephen beat Les
21-20 in a sudden-death point.
Stefan Wetherburn, a pupil at St.
Bernards School, and a player for The
Table-Tennis Centre, embarked on what
was to prove a very successful night,
with victory in his group, following
wins over Keith Mallinson, Steve Bushell
and Derek Harker. These were impressive
wins as, although he was getting a
start, his opponents were all seasoned
campaigners, and the handicap was not
large. Against Keith, Stefan received
eight, against Steve he had an eleven
start, and against Derek, a five start.
Derek progressed as group runner-up,
with wins over Steve and Keith.
Tony Whitehouse went through as winner
of Group 3, with wins over Oliver
Shipley, John Harrison, Emily Standing
and the ever-improving Luke Walker.
Oliver progressed as group runner-up,
with wins over Emily and John.
In the final group, Paul Ackred topped
the table following wins over Stephen
Murray, Neil Smith, Matt O’Flynn and Ray
Schwer. Stephen Murray progressed as
runner-up, with victories against Ray
and Neil.
In the first quarter final, Tom Smith
defeated St. Bernards pupil Oliver
Shipley- who plays for the Table-Tennis
Centre- 21-15, 21-14.
Derek Harker (Hawcoat Park) beat fellow
club-member Stephen Murray 21-19, 21-18.
Paul Ackred defeated Tony Whitehouse
21-13, 21-12.
Stefan defeated Jonathon Miles in the
last quarter-final 21-18, 21-7. He
continued his good form in his
semi-final against Derek, winning 21-16,
21-12.
In the other semi-final, the game
between Tom Smith and Paul Ackred was
something of a classic, going to the
deciding point in two of the three ends.
Paul won the first 21-20, Tom responded
by taking the second 21-18, and in the
final end, Paul sneaked victory in a
sudden-death point at 20-20 to progress
to the final.
The final itself pitched Stefan, who
learnt his trade at St. Columba School,
against St. Columba team player Paul.
This was a highly entertaining final,
and both players deserve great credit
for their performances.
Paul won the first game 21-19, but
Stefan responded well with a 21-14 win
to level proceedings. In the deciding
end, Paul got off to a great start,
quickly clawing back Stefan’s handicap
points (+7), but the Table-Tennis Centre
player was not to be outdone, and
continued to threaten. Some brilliant
points ensued, all played at break-neck
speed, and Paul eventually came through
to take the match and the ‘Handicap’
title 21-18 in the deciding end.
S.C |
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