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The National Badminton League has hit the halfway mark inits inaugural season and the table stands finely poised as we move into 2015.Few could have predicted how tight the first three rounds of the NBL would be,with five of the six ties going down to the final game.

Names of favourites and underdogs were bandied about beforethe season began, yet the new rules and in-play features have thrown up aplethora of exciting matches and shock results; something the organisers of theNBL and spectators alike were hoping for.

Surrey currently top the league, but with just three pointsseparating the top from the bottom, no team can be sure of a play-off place justyet. With everything still to play for in 2015, Alyssa Lim takes a look back atthe season's star performers so far and the potential match-winners that willmake a difference to the final league positions.

Koen Ridder/Gary Fox(Birmingham Lions, pictured)

Twice have the Birmingham Lions been 2-0 behind and twicehave Ridder and Fox snatched the match-winning point for their team whilst at2-2 in the match. The defensive patience of Fox and the aggressive attackingprowess of Ridder has kicked up a storm in the league making them one of themost entertaining pairs to watch. The form of both the men's doubles pairs fromBirmingham Lions and Milton Keynes makes for a mouth-watering match-up when thetwo teams meet on 26 ^th January.

Soraya de VischEijbergen (Surrey Smashers)

Despite scoring victory in Surrey Smashers' opening tieagainst Milton Keynes, de Visch Eijbergen still remained the underdog in her singlesfixture against Linda Zechiri of Loughborough Sport on match night three.World-ranked 45 places below her opponent at 83, de Visch Eijbergen's win wasmade all the more impressive by the manner in which it was conducted. Trailing2-1 in sets and 8-4 down in the fourth, the young Dutch player's spiritedcomeback to win 5-3 in the final set showed the fight and determination thatwill make her an intimidating prospect for her remaining opponents.

Karin Schnaase (TeamDerby)

Schnaaseis everyteam's dream. Known for her endless running and never-say-die attitude she hasso far shown the grit needed to overcome two tough battles against FontaineChapman and Linda Zechiri. The high standard of thewomen's singles in the NBL, like all events, means that her games won't get anyeasier, but Team Derby can be sure that she will fight for every point, whichcould prove decisive come the end of the season.

Henri Hurskainen (LoughboroughSport)

The Swedish star has proven an astute signing byLoughborough Sport picking up two wins out of two for his team. A notable winagainst Team Derby's English national champion Rajiv Ouseph was followed up bya victory against Carl Baxter from Surrey Smashers. The performance and mannerin which he dispatched two of England's best men's singles players of recenttimes will give both him and Loughborough Sport confidence going into 2015.

Kieran Merrilees(University of Nottingham)

Merrilees has begun his NBL campaign with consummate ease:unbeaten in two matches for the loss of just one set. His shot quality anddeception has allowed him to pull away in both of his matches so far and,although he faces tough opposition in 2015, on his day Merrilees can be a matchfor anyone and certainly a match winner for the University of Nottingham.

Jess Pugh (MiltonKeynes, pictured)

Having already come up against Gabby and Chris Adcock - albeitseparately - and recording a narrow loss and a remarkable win, Pugh has shownthat whilst she is certainly one for the future, competitors will need to watchout for her from the very start of 2015.

Tickets priced from just £10, are still available to watch all our NBL stars in action. 

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