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Fightbacks, PowerPlays and late call-ups: nine points on Match Night 4
Franchises' feeling the Power
It has taken three MatchNights, but franchises now look finely tuned tactically under the NBL'snew rulings. Match Night 4 saw a raft of PowerPlay points being called atpivotal times, though not all were successful. At Nottingham, there were threeexamples in a bid to get over the winning line, either to takethe game or lead by three points ahead in the tie-break. Meanwhile at Surrey, TeamDerby's Kate Robertshaw and Lydia Powell decided to take theirs when 2-1 up and7-7, but contrived to lose it – and the match.
Rally of the night
Carl Baxter
looked forall the world like losing a rally dominated by Rajiv Ouseph's court craft. TheSurrey Smasher was being sent left and right, stretching on both occasions and eachtime getting the shuttle back. Ouseph then looked to have put away the winnerbut was adjudged to have touched the net, handing Baxter a 2-0 advantage in thedeciding, thrilling tie-break.
Image of the night
A celebratory Nottingham team after their 4-1 win over Loughborough Sport atthe Albert Hall – their first outright win of the season. Photo: Calvin Coull
Match Night turning point
A rare case of using an NBL feature so early. Rob Blair and Chloe Magee'sdecision to opt for the PowerPlay at 7-8 down in the first game of the first rubberin the University of Nottingham Badminton v Loughborough Sport fixture was abig call. Loughborough's Wallwork and Ellis appeared to be taking control(leading 8-5) but UoN saved four match points and used the PowerPlay perfectlyto take the opening game. It was a #gamechanger that led Nottingham to theirfirst doubles' win of the new season and set the tone for the rest of the team.
What they said:
“It was Chloewho suggested we call the PowerPlay at 7-8 down in the first – as in othermatches I'd forgotten we have that option so that really helped us take controlof the match.”
RobBlair on partner Chloe Magee's quick thinking
Match Night 4's MVP
Another performance to relish for coach Hayley Connor, who was left “speechless”at the end. It was a night to remember for
Carl Baxter
too. So often in the shadowof “best buddy” and best man at his wedding, Rajiv Ouseph, Baxter dazzled onhome turf, stealing the show with a superb 8-9 7-9 9-5 9-2 4-1 win over hiscareer-long rival. He had to compose himself for several minutes beforespeaking to the press afterwards, given it was his first ever win over Ouseph.A brilliant, joyous performance from a gutsy player.
Tweet of the night
Catch you all soon. You finally get what you want when you least expect it
Late Call of the Match-Night
At 3pm, MK Badminton's
Jess Fletcher
was preparing for anight on the MK subs' bench. At 8.30pm, Fletcher had just pairedSophie Sankey to a shock 3-0 win over Birmingham Lions' Heather Olver and JessHopton, having been a last-minute pre-match replacement for the injured SophieBrown. It was a result that saw Olver lose her 100 per cent record, earning MKBadminton a crucial stranglehold on the fixture. Fletcher is now two wins from two and her partnership with Sankey should beone to watch.
Adcock Watch
After two doubles' defeats, ChrisAdcock partnered debutant Adam Hall as Nottingham attempted a 4-1 win. Theearly signs didn't look good as Peter Briggs and Harley Towler took the opener.But they slowly grew into the match; Hall at the back court with Adcock's softtouch at the front as they powered to a 3-1 win. Hall is certainly one towatch.
Perfect record
Olga Konon, Kieren Merrilees, Eejfe Muskens, Gabby Adcock, Koen Ridder and Gary Fox, Toby Penty (2 from 2), Jess Fletcher, SorayaDe Visch Eijbergen. Can these eight NBL stars maintain their unbeatenform?
Audienceparticipation
“If anyone can, Elizabeth Cann!” tried toencourage the Milton Keynes star but sadly she couldn't live up to the name asshe lost to Fontaine Chapman in women's singles.
What they said:
“The NBL is great; itputs a different perspective on badminton. It's more enjoyable for the fans andthe crowd really were great tonight. At match point down, it was all quiet,then I won that point and the crowd went wild!”
Milton Keynes' Sam Parsons
Comebacks, cards and cacophony - Nine NBL points on Match Night 3
