GB Badminton doubles specialist Chris Coles insists being on the receiving end of the first ever 5-0 NBL whitewash at the hands of Surrey Smashers has been the making of the Team Derby squad as they prepare for Finals Day.

With three wins from five match-nights, Team Derby head into the end of season showdown at K2 Crawley on 7 June as serious title contenders having finished the regular season in second place.

However, a chance to play for badminton’s newest piece of silverware seemed a distant hope in January when Surrey Smashers inflicted a 5-0 loss – only one of two whitewashes to take place in the regular season.

Coles, an ever present for Team Derby, thinks that heavy defeat, albeit painful and embarrassing at the time, has put his side in a much stronger shape going into Finals Day.

"We have ended quite highly in second position but we've had our ups and downs along the way," said the 22-year-old.

"I think the 5-0 loss to Surrey Smashers really hit us hard and I think that was a turning point in our season.

“We then had two matches following that game and we dominated in those. It's been up and down but because we've ended strongly we can go into [Finals Day] with a lot of confidence”.

That confidence was evident as Team Derby recorded their own 5-0 drubbing of MK Badminton in February and followed it up with a crucial 4-1 over University of Nottingham Badminton.

Team Derby face University of Nottingham Badminton again in a Finals Day Play-Off for a place in the Championship Final where they could meet Surrey Smashers again, this time for the NBL trophy.

However Coles is not looking past the Play-Off against their fierce sporting rivals, adding: “If we can get that win in the play-off that's all that matters really. It doesn't matter how we've played."

The UK’s first ever National Badminton League comes to a thrilling finale at K2 Crawley on Sunday 7 June. Tickets from £12 are exclusively on sale through Sky Tickets.  Head to our for further information.