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Chris Adcock was beaming from earto ear after leading his University of Nottingham Badminton side to the AJ BellNational Badminton League title with a battling 3-1 victory over Team Derby.

Their opponents had been chasingtheir second AJ Bell NBL title after winning in the league's inaugural year in2015, but it wasn't to be as University of Nottingham Badminton came frombehind to be crowned 2016/17 champions.

In a final featuring sixOlympians, including medallists Marcus Ellis and Nina Vislova, Team Derby tookfirst blood with women's doubles victory, before University of Nottingham tookthe next three rubbers.

And for Nottingham-born Adcock,lifting the trophy for his hometown team was a proud moment to cap off aphenomenal season.

“This feels really good,” he said.“This is the first time we have won it, in the NBL's third season.

“It's extra special for me beingfrom Nottingham to take this trophy home, I'm really happy with the team andproud of the season as a whole.

“We didn't start the season thatwell, it took us a little while to get into it, but the momentum that wecarried towards the end has been spectacular.

“The team and the support staffaround the University of Nottingham have been superb, they've made it a realjoy this year.

It wasn't all plain sailing forUniversity of Nottingham Badminton though, after Team Derby's Lauren Smith andKate Robertshaw breezed through their women's doubles tie with Jess Pugh and LiLian Yang, prevailing in straight sets.

But a battling performance fromKieran Merrilees quickly restored parity, as he triumphed over three-timeOlympian Scott Evans despite a comeback effort from the Irish player.

Victory for Adcock and Vislova swung the tie in University of Nottingham'sfavour, as they came from a game down to defeat Marcus Ellis and Smith 3-1.

And in an all-Malaysian clashacross the net, Yang clinched the title for her side, defeating Lyddia Cheah YiYu in straight sets as her teammates stormed the court in celebration.

But while it was a upsetting endto the season for Team Derby, Smith – who has now lost all three ChampionshipFinals to date – was quick to praise her side's efforts.

“It's really disappointing,” shesaid. “We started so well but then to lose that momentum means it's tough totake.

“The team put in a really strongperformance and I think we should be proud of how we have done all season.

“Nottingham are such a strongteam, they've got real depth, so we were up against it, we did all we could,but unfortunately it wasn't enough.”