Abstract: An improved valve plate structure for use in axial plunger pumps is disclosed. It comprises: (a) a valve plate, which comprises a suction port, a displacement port, and a pressure build-up zone therebetween; (b) a valve cover, which is in close contact with the valve plate, comprises a suction port at a location corresponding to the suction port of the valve plate and a displacement port at a location corresponding to the displacement port of the valve plate; (c) a flow-diverted channel formed in the pressure build up zone of the valve plate; (d) a through hole provided in the bottom of the flow-diverted channel penetrating through the bottom part of the valve plate; (e) a guided channel formed in the valve cover at an interface between the cover and the valve plate abutting the through hole of the flow-diverted channel.