The Warwickshire Over 40s Veterans secured their place in Division 1A of the County Championships despite a difficult series of matches at Woodfield Table Tennis Club.

Having won 2 of their 3 matches in November, the County team lost 4-6 to Lincolnshire and 1-9 to a strengthened Avon side on day 1 of the second round of matches, leaving work to be done on the final day.

First up on day 2 were South Yorkshire, who only needed one point to win the title and promotion to the Premier Division.   Michael Browne gave Warwickshire the best possible start, coming from behind to beat England number 9 veteran, Stephen Horsfield.  Suitably inspired, Simon Griew dispatched Bill Grant in straight sets, and Dawn Sagoo won her singles and both mixed doubles (with Mark Jackson and Griew respectively) to earn Warwickshire a 5-5 draw.

Thankfully that point was sufficient to keep the County side safe as they lost 3-7 in the final match against Staffordshire, despite an impressive double from Griew who beat the awkward Paul Worrallo in 4 sets and then cruised past the normally hard-to-beat Paul Myatt 11-7 11-6 11-3.