The first weekend of the County Championship Veterans Premier Division took place at Ashford Table Tennis Club over the weekend of 14-15 December, and it had a familiar look about it.

Nottinghamshire, winners for the last seven years (2024 champions pictured above), once again lead the way with three wins from three. They only dropped one set, registering 29 sets from a possible 30.

Yorkshire share top slot with Nottinghamshire as the only other team that are undefeated after the first session.

First round

The first round of matches saw reigning champions Nottinghamshire drop their only set of the weekend to Derbyshire when, with Notts 5-0 up, Jane Vickers (Derbyshire) beat Sarah Short (Nottinghamshire) 12-10, 11-5, 11-9.

The most exciting match of this round saw Middlesex fight back from 2-5 down to draw with last years’ runners-up, Kent.

In other matches, Hertfordshire beat Sussex 8-2 and the round was completed by a clash between former multi champions Yorkshire and Leicestershire and it was Yorkshire who pulled away from 2-2 to take five sets on the trot to establish a 7-2 lead, finally winning 7-3.

Second round

In the second round of fixtures, Hertfordshire beat Leicestershire 7-3, which was mirrored by Kent who beat Sussex by the same score.

There were maximum wins by Yorkshire over Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire over Middlesex.

Third round

Sunday morning saw the final round of fixtures with once again the most exciting match was a drawn clash, between Kent and Leicestershire. On this occasion there was never a set between the counties as Kent took the final mixed doubles to share the spoils.

Middlesex completed a tough weekend for Derbyshire with a 9-1 victory. Nottinghamshire once again completed a 10-0 victory, this time over Sussex.

The round was completed with a clash between two unbeaten sides which saw Yorkshire start strong and take the opening three sets against Hertfordshire only to see Herts draw level by taking the next three sets. But it was Yorkshire who reeled off the final four sets to record a 7-3 victory.

The Divisional Table is on the County Championships website on TT Leagues. From there you can navigate to the full set of results, individual match cards, player averages – and much else besides.

The division will be completed in Nottingham over the weekend of 1-2 February. Nottinghamshire and Yorkshire will start the weekend on maximum points, with the likely title decider in the second round of matches of the Saturday session.