GREG Mairs believes ‘one or two points’ might make the difference if Loughborough Sport are to win a first AJ Bell National League title today.

The Northwich ace was part of a side that finished as runners-up to Team Derby, their opponents in a play-offs semi-final at Birmingham’s Barclaycard Arena later, in last year’s edition.

He said: “We’ll do our best, and try to make sure those points we didn’t win last year – especially in the final – go our way this time around.

“We’re expecting a tough game, probably even harder on paper than the one we played [against Derby] in December.”

Loughborough qualified for the finals day as table-toppers after winning five matches during an unbeaten league campaign.

Former Weaverham High School student Mairs, along with partner Jenny Moore, were victors in straight sets against their Derby counterparts during a 4-1 success before Christmas.

However they were edged out 3-2 in the 2015 final.

Mairs said: “We’re really up for it.

“It’s been a pretty good season for us, going unbeaten and winning all our games, so we’re carrying good momentum into the weekend.

“Everybody is fighting fit, and we’re looking to win it after finishing second last year.”

Mairs, who also studied at Sir John Deane's College, and Moore will take on Ollie Baczala and Amanda Hogstrom when Loughborough meet Derby in the first play-offs encounter this morning.

The match is scheduled to start at 10.45am.

University of Nottingham then clash with Birmingham Lions in the second contest.

A first shuttle will be hit in the final, to be broadcast live by SKY Sports, at 6.15pm.