Disappointing end to season

Peter Mills admits defeat wasn't the way he wanted to bring the curtain down on his AJ Bell National Badminton League season but insists MK Badminton can hold their heads high.
Peter Mills with his MK Badminton team-matesPeter Mills with his MK Badminton team-mates
Peter Mills with his MK Badminton team-mates

Mills and doubles partner Sean Vendy lost out to Loughborough Sport duo Peter Briggs and Harley Towler 8-9 7-9 9-5 5-9 as the visitors took a 4-1 victory on Monday night.

That defeat spelled the end for MK Badminton’s AJ Bell NBL season as they finished bottom of the table with one win from five matches.

That victory came against reigning champions Team Derby, the University of Derby’s AJ Bell NBL franchise, however and Mills says there are positives that can be taken into the next campaign.

“We played the wrong style too much to be honest and we let some crucial points slip which kind of decided the game,” he said.

“It’s disappointing really because that’s not the way we wanted to close out the season, we really wanted to go out with a win. These things happen, we wanted to go out with our heads held high and we will as a team but that game is one we thought we could win.

“We talked last year about what it takes to make the Finals Day and win the title and it’s not gone the way we wanted it to but hopefully we will learn from that.

“We are developing as a team so hopefully with the players we have got and if we can add some new players then we can be a force to be reckoned with next season.”

The night started well for MK Badminton with Anders Kristiansen and Marie Roepke winning 9-4, 5-9, 9-7, 4-9, 5-2 in the mixed doubles against Greg Mairs and Jenny Moore.

But that was as good as it got with Sophie Sankey and Caroline Westley losing out 5-9, 3-9, 7-9 in the women’s doubles to Lauren Smith and Viki Williams before Sam Parsons lost out to Henri Hurskainen 5-9, 9-3, 9-3, 5-9, 2-5.

Chloe Birch then wrapped things up with a straight sets win over Clara Nistad before Mills and Vendy closed out the season for the home side.

“It’s been a good season,” said Westley after finishing her first AJ Bell NBL season. “It’s been great to play against people of the calibre we have

“I’ve enjoyed every minute and I know there are some really strong players in this league so it’s good to go up against that kind of competition.”

Support your local teams and badminton stars in their bid for title glory at the AJ Bell National Badminton Finals Day – The Ultimate Smashdown on Sunday 8 May at the Barclaycard Arena. For tickets and information, visit www.nationalbadmintonleague.co.uk