By pgreen_DT
London: Team Derby were left shell-shocked after a 5-0 hammering by Surrey Smashers left their National Badminton League play-off hopes in the balance.
Bitterly disappointed coach Donna Kellogg says Derby probably now have to win their last two matches – and win them well – to keep their chances of a top-four finish alive.
Kellogg’s squad had gone into the game in Surrey with high hopes of upsetting their previously unbeaten hosts.
But they were sent packing without a rubber to their name after the first whitewash inflicted in the new national league.
It leaves Derby sitting fifth in the six-team league with a win and two defeats.
The result even included English number one Rajiv Ouseph losing to rival Carl Baxter for the first time in 10 years of matches between the two.
That statistic would certainly have been in Kellogg’s mind when she admitted afterwards: “It didn’t cross my mind that we could lose 5-0.”
“It looks like a thrashing and it was uncomfortable for me watching it but there were some close matches.”
“The ladies’ doubles went down to a five-point shoot-out and we probably should have won that.”
“It would have been 1-1 if we had and Rav was next up.”
“I think most people would have expected him to win – he’s number one on the UK and has the results to prove it.”
“Surrey, to be fair, played very well on the night and their players thrived on the atmosphere.”
The match had started with a mixed doubles defeat for Martin Campbell and Gail Emms, who went down 3-1 to Matthew Nottingham and Gabby Adcock.
Kate Robertshaw and Lydia Powell went all the way against Eefje Muskens and Emily Westwood in the women’s doubles before losing the shoot-out to go down 3-2.
After that, with Ouseph needing a win to keep the match alive, Baxter played the match of his life to win 3-0.
It seemed Surrey were just as surprised at what was happening in front of a noisy home crowd.
“I don’t know how I did it. I don’t know what to say,” said Baxter.
“I have never beaten Raj before after 10 years of trying and throughout my whole career and I was in awe of what he was doing.”
Surrey’s coach Hayley Connor added: “It feels amazing and I’m in shock.”
“I never thought it would be 5-0 and we seem to be doing nothing wrong as far as the home crowd is concerned. And that is what it’s all about.”
Surrey completed the win with Soraya De Visch Eijbergen beating Karin Schnaase 3-1, then Dean George and Chris Langridge beating Andy Ellis and Chris Coles 3-0.
Now Kellogg is hoping the home advantage noted by her Surrey counterpart can help Derby, as their matches against Milton Keynes (March 23) and Nottingham (April 27) will be among the first major events at the new Derby Arena.
“All rubbers count in the league table so to pick up none has really affected our chances,” she said.
“We need to finish top four to make the play-offs. We’ve not only got to win the last two matches, we have to win them better than 3-2.”
“But they are home games. That should give us an advantage and I am sure the fans will get the Derby-Nottingham rivalry over to the players.”
“The guys have heavy tournament schedules coming up, so they should be match-sharp as well.”
Result:
Surrey Smashers 5,Team Derby 0:
Matthew Nottingham and Gabby Adcock beat Martin Campbell and Gail Emms 3-1 (Surrey names first).
Eefje Muskens and Emily Westwood beat Kate Robertshaw and Lydia Powell 3-2 (Surrey names first).
Carl Baxter beat Rajiv Ouseph 3-0 (Surrey names first).
Soraya De Visch Eijbergen beat Karin Schnaase 3-1 (Surrey names first).
Dean George and Chris Langridge beat Andy Ellis and Chris Coles 3-0 (Surrey names first).
Derby Telegraph
