The defending champions are there to be shot down when the Youth British Clubs League (YBCL) plays to a conclusion this weekend.

The 2024 boys’ champions Grantham Academy and the girls’ winners London Academy are both top of their respective Premier Divisions, but there are challengers circling just behind them.

It is particularly tight in the top boys’ division, where both Grantham and eBaTT are unbeaten having won three and drawn two. They have an identical 22-8 record in sets and Grantham are ahead on game ratio – 74-32 compared with eBaTT’s 73-35.

Fusion are two points behind the leading pair and all the matches between the top three ended in draws on Weekend 1.

With at least two top-10 players in each squad, there will be plenty of tight matches. Grantham could call on Abraham Sellado on the opening weekend, but he is not in their squad list this time – could that prove significant?

In the Girls’ Premier, London Academy’s win over Grantham College gave them a two-point lead at the top.

With the wins column in the table reading 5-4-3-2-1-0, Draycott in third place could still have a say, but realistically the champions will come from the top two and their meeting in the final round is likely to be key once again.

With London players Maliha Baig and Sophie Barcsai both having 100% records from the full set of 10 matches on Weekend 1, they will again spearhead their team’s title bid, with Sienna Jetha completing a trio of top-10 players.

Grantham have the two highest-rated players in Hannah Silcock and Ella Pashley, while Draycott also have three top-10 players in their ranks.

Champions will be decided in 14 divisions, with more than 350 players due to be action at Derby Arena and satellite venue Draycott & Long Eaton TTC.

Head to TTE.TV for live streaming of selected matches. Further selected matches will be recorded and available to watch on demand next week.

Remember, access to TTE.TV is included free with any Table Tennis England membership.

Results, tables and averages will be updated on TT Leagues throughout the weekend and you can follow all the latest news, views, previews and reports on the YBCL on the British Clubs Leagues Instagram and Facebook channels.

Click below to download the event programme to see the full team line-ups and fixture lists for each division.

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