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Birmingham Lions produced a superb 3-1 victory over Loughborough Sport in their own back yard on Sunday evening to claim their maiden AJ Bell National Badminton League title. 

Lions' captain Toby Penty described their title win as one of the greatest moments of his career.

Pentyjoined the team from MK Badminton last summer and the 23-year-old played anintegral part in his side's journey to the title at the Barclaycard Arena in Birmingham.

The 23-year-old beat Rohan Midha 3-0 in the semi-final asBirmingham Lions defeated University of Nottingham Badminton 4-1 before he madeit six AJ Bell NBL wins from seven matches in the final.

Penty was leading 2-0 in the third event before LoughboroughSport's Henri Hurskainen tookit to the tie-break but it was the Birmingham Lions skipper who survived two eventpoints before winning 9-6, 9-8, 6-9, 8-9, 5-3. 

AndAlida Chen and Sarah Walker showed similar resilience to come from two gamesdown against Lauren Smith and Jenny Wallwork to win their event 3-2 and securea 4-1 win for Birmingham Lions - landing the title in the process.

Pentysaid: “What an unbelievable finish! When we went 2-0 down in the women's, youare almost thinking about the fifth event but they grew through that match anddid amazingly and played brilliantly in the final three games.

“Thiswas such a different experience and these sorts of moments define a sport andwe need more of them – we need more feel-good factors in badminton.

“Thisis one of my biggest achievements in the sport. To go from where I was at thestart of the AJ Bell NBL to where we are now is unbelievable!”

What it means to win in the Championship Final! pic.twitter.com/zPuiRrXVT3

BirminghamLions booked their spot in the Championship Final with an impressive 4-1 winover University of Nottingham Badminton, while earlier in the day LoughboroughSport continued their unbeaten run this season with a 3-2 victory against TeamDerby.

Firstup in the Final was the mixed doubles and it was Birmingham Lions' Nico Ruponenand Heather Olver who had the home crowd in a frenzy by coming from behind tobeat Greg Mairs and Jenny Moore 2-9, 9-6, 9-6, 9-6.

Nextup was a repeat of the English National Championship final but this time it wasLoughborough Sport's Chloe Birch who was victorious, beating Fontaine Chapman 9-8,9-4, 9-7.

Thingswere tied going into Penty and Hurskainen's contest and after his win, itlooked as though the title would be decided by the final event of the seasonwhen Loughborough Sports' Smith and Wallwork won the first two games againstChen and Walker.

However,the Birmingham Lions duo also produced a remarkable comeback to win 2-9, 5-9,9-6, 9-7, 3-0 and hand their side the trophy, meaning the men's doubles matchwas not required.

WE ARE THE CHAMPIONSS!! I ❤️ this team 🦁😁🙌🏾🏸 can't believe we did it, so proud!! pic.twitter.com/gmHC55tNch

— Fontaine Chapman (@FontaineMica)

Wallworksaid: "We're absolutely devastated. It was tough to lose in the final lastyear and I think it's even more disappointing this year because we've had sucha good season coming through every match with a win.

"Wewere hoping to finish it off with victory today but you don't always get whatyou want and unfortunately we just didn't play the way we wanted to.

"Birminghamplayed a great match. We knew it was going to be tough because all of them havebeen but we didn't play as well as we thought we would and it became toodifficult.

"We'llbe really hunting for that trophy again next year and I know we'll come backfighting.

"It'sback into training for everyone now and we'll be stronger and looking to do onebetter next year."

Loughborough Sport 1 - 3 Birmingham Lions 

XDGreg Mairs & Jenny Moore 1-3 Nico Ruponen & Heather Olver (9-2, 6-9,6-9, 7-9)

WSChloe Birch 3-0 Fontaine Chapman (9-8, 9-4, 9-7)

MSHenri Hurskainen 2-3 Toby Penty (9-6, 9-8, 6-9, 8-9, 3-5)

WDLauren Smith & Jenny Wallwork 2-3 Alida Chen & Sarah Walker (9-2, 9-5,6-9, 7-9, 0-3)

MDPeter Briggs & Harley Towler v Gary Fox & Koen Ridder (N/A)