Wycombe coach Gary Fox believes his enjoyable weekend at the English National Badminton Championships was key to him securing a first AJ Bell National Badminton League win of the season on Monday night.

Fox and his Birmingham Lions teammate Koen Ridder had yet to win in the AJ Bell NBL this season before their 9-6, 9-8, 9-8 victory over Loughborough Sport’s Harley Towler and Peter Briggs.

It came the day after the English National Badminton Championships at University of Derby’s Sports Centre finished.

Fox reached the quarter-finals of the men’s doubles with partner Dean George at the weekend before departing at the hands of Towler and Matthew Nottingham 21-16, 21-16.

And the lead coach at Wycombe Performance Centre also took part in the mixed doubles alongside his girlfriend Lauren Smith, but they were knocked out in the second round by eventual runners-up Christopher Coles and Sophie Brown 21-15, 14-21, 21-17.

Fox said: “It has been a tough season so far and with me and Koen not being full-time, it is tough but we knew we had a chance to win that one.

“It was especially good to win in straight games and the two games which were really tight at 9-8. It was really good,” Fox said.

“We had a good hour-long knock-up beforehand because Koen only flew over from LA so it was tough for him.

“But playing at the Nationals at the weekend made me feel sharper.

“I have played with Briggs and Harley before and went to university with them so it is always good to know the opposition a bit – although it is a trade-off as it is the same for them – so it was a good win.”

Birmingham Lions went on to lose the AJ Bell NBL fixture 3-2 but remain in a strong position to make the Finals Day on May 8, when the top four battle it out for the title.

They are on 11 points in third place while the two teams currently ranked outside the top four - Surrey Smashers and MK Badminton - both have seven points with a maximum of five available from the last fixture on May 21.

It was a successful few days for Fox, who is a former England international but no longer plays full-time due to a heart irregularity.

“I was pleased with my performances in the men’s doubles and mixed doubles,” Fox said.

“We lost two tough games against seeded pairings but I was pleased with my performances and I really enjoyed myself.

“This year I didn’t put any pressure on myself because I am not funded and not on a programme so I am just playing for enjoyment and that helps you to just enjoy yourself and play the sport that I love.”

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