December 1, 2014, by Lee Chrimes

Badminton stars in action tonight

Tonight, University of Nottingham English and German student and 2014-15 Sport Scholar Ellen Mahenthiralingam, will be playing for the UoN National Badminton League team vs Birmingham Lions. The match will be aired live to thousands on Sky Sports 2 from 7:00pm showcasing the new competition format in which games are played to just 9 points and double points can be earned.

After being left out of the pick for UoN’s first match vs MK Badminton, Ellen has been called up for tonight’s game by Coach Martyn Lewis. With absence due to injury from both Panuga Riou and Chloe Magee, Lewis felt this match was the perfect opportunity to give Ellen the chance to experience the NBL. He has paired Ellen with experienced ex-England international, Kristian Roebuck, to represent UoN in the mixed doubles event. They will face Birmingham’s Nico Ruponen, Swedish international, and Alyssa Lim, GB representative, in what will no doubt be a tough and gruelling affair but an excellent challenge for the newly formed pair to rise to.

Also representing UoN is Kieran Merrilees, fresh from winning the Men’s Singles competition at the Yonex Welsh International 2014. Coincidently its was MK Badminton’s Toby Penty, the youngster who was a part of the pairing that denied victory for favourites Adcock and Magee in the last NBL fixture, that Merrilees beat in the final. Merrilees will face Ben Beckman of Birmingham in the Men’s Singles and will once again be looking to begin UoN’s campaign with a confident win to open match night number two.

Kieran Merrilees

Following this, Olga Konon will take centre stage against Fontaine Chapman, England’s number 1, whilst new signing Alex Langley will play with Carissa Turner against Lion’s pair Jessica Hopton and Heather Olver. The evening will finish with UoN captain Chris Adcock pairing up with Matt Hughes to face Gary Fox and Koen Ridder in the mens doubles. Tune into Sky Sports 2 from 7:30pm to see the team in action in what promises to be a very exciting match of top-flight badminton. You can also watch the team court side on the 26 January 2015 when they take on Loughborough in the spectacular Albert Hall, Nottingham. Tickets can be bought at tickets.sky.com/Badminton/National-Badminton-League

Birmingham Lions

Mens’ Singles – Ben Beckman
Womens’ Singles – Fontaine Chapman
Mixed Doubles – Nico Ruponen, Alyssa Lim
Womens’ Doubles – Jessica Hopton, Heather Olver
Mens’ Doubles – Gary Fox, Koen Ridder

University of Nottingham Badminton

Mens’ Singles – Kieran Merrilees
Womens’ Singles – Olga Konon
Mixed Doubles – Kristian Roebuck, Ellen Mahenthiralingham
Womens’ Doubles – Carissa Turner, Alexandra Langley
Mens’ Doubles – Chris Adcock, Matt Hughes

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