For the first time in a few years, all the Finals were held on the same day (bar one).

Open Handicap - Chris Ivey v James Woodman

A really close affair - so much so, that the handicap difference was zero. A slow start by James saw him go 0-1 down in no time. His harder hitting and running game got him back into it 1-1, then lapses in concentration allowed Chris to take the third; 2-1 to Chris. Most of this was captured on video - so judge for yourselves. 15/7, 13/15, 15/8

James upped his game after that, racing around like a blue-backed fly until he took the 4th 15/11. Then a ding-dong 5th, edged by James 15/14, saw James take his first trophy - and completely vindicate the Squash Levels handicapping system.

Club Championship - David Falconer v James Hall

The eagerly anticipated showdown between the Club's top two produced a lopsided score and a quick end to what should have been a closer and tenser affair. James established an 8-2 lead in the first game - only to give the lead back and more, losing 8-10.

The next almost went the opposite way - David establishing an 8-2 lead, only for James to claw back most of it. However, at 6-8, James relinquished serve and David was able to nick the point he needed for 2-0.

With James apparently suffering from a bit of a sniffle (no excuse offered), the sharper David then eased through the third game 9-3 to take back the Championship he had last won in 2014.

Mike Wright (defending Champion) presents the Runner Up small tankard to James Hall

Then hands the sparkling Champions trophy to David Falconer.

Veterans Open - David Falconer v Mike Wright

David Falconer attempting the triple of all three age categories, tackled Mike wright in the second leg - The veterans (Over 45) Open. Having got his eye in with his 3-0 win earlier against James Hall, David took the first game 9/2 in no time. The second was a complete turnaround, with Mike being 'mustard' according to his opponent. Mike won that one 9/3, but then the match followed form with David clinically despatching his younger opponent 9/0, 9/2.

Marker Jolyon Thompson presents the trophies

Open Championship Plate - Chris Ivey v Gary Mitchell

The Plate (for losers of their first matches in the Championship), was the second Of Chris Ivey's three finals. He was naturally keen to win this one, after such a narrow loss to James Woodman earlier. Gary was also anxious to win one in front of many of his grandchildren, who had turned out in force to support him.

The fresher Gary stayed ahead of Chiris until 7-4 up in the first. Then Chris found another wind and another gear to get on a run of points - through to 9-7. He then proved to fit for Gary, who may have been nursing a twinge. Whatever the reason, Chris ran out 9-4, 9-2 to retain his Plate title of 2017.

[Seniors (Over 55) Open - David Falconer v Gary Mitchell

David 's third final (and Gary's second) was to be played on Sunday. However, Gary's niggle proved a step too far and he had to concede. This gave David Falconer the title in all three Open Categories - a Club first.]

Seniors (over 55) Handicap - Chris Morgan (-7) v David Hampton (+7)

Chris was hoping for a threepeat, having won the trophy for the previous two years. David, as he does, chased down every ball in the first game - taking advantage of his 14-point lead to keep his nose in front until the game was nearly over. At 4-13, Chris made a good run at closing the gap (to 10-13), before David was able to get the last two points he needed. Chris made a better start to the second game, pulling back from 0-12 to 13-12 in one run of points; then closing out the game 15-13. Thereafter, with David tiring, the handicap was quickly eroded each game, and Chris was able to repeat his victory comfortably 15-8, 15-11.

Veterans (Over 45) Handicap - Chris Ivey (-2) v John Creek (+2)

Chris's third final should have proved a tough challenge after a couple of hard runs earlier in the morning. Nevertheless, he was keen to get on with it before the lactic acid took hold. And with his eye firmly 'in', he was able to overcome the handicap in the first game without losing serve, until he had the lead at 4-3. John managed to stay level with him then with many hands in and out until at 13-12 Chris took a couple of points in a row and the first game 15-13. Perhaps easing back, Chris allowed John to get an early run together in the second game and he had extended his advantage to 8-1 before Chris started to play. John kept picking up cheap points until he reached 15-2, 1-1.

A fairly comfortable third followed, with Chris finding a second wind and steadily hauling the deficit back and then pushing on to 15-9. The fourth was tighter, with John just holding his 4 point advantage throughout and never letting Chris close the gap. 15-12 to John, 2-2.

The effort of levelling was too much for the older John, however. And Chris found his third wind and an extra gear, racing to 11-3 before John could stem the tide. Chris easily finished the match off 15-7 in a few more hands in, repeating his 2016 and 2017 triumphs in this Veterans category.

Doubles Handicap - Jolyon Thompson & John Creek (+2) v Mike & Connor Wright (-2)

The Doubles final was the last of the day, as Summer doubles winners John & Jolyon took on the father and son Wright team. This was the first time the Winter doubles had been contested since 2008 but is sure to be repeated as great fun was had by all participants.

Mike & Connor had beaten their opponents 3-1 in the Round Robin stage of the competition, with Connor having shown how much his game had improved in his time away from the Club during his studies. This time, the Wrights were employing some new tactics - including rotating service boxes and crossovers. [Not sure if these worked as well as they might have done, with occasional clashes when both went for the same ball - Ed.]

As you would expect with doubles, there were some frenetic rallies. Both teams had some runs of points and all games were close. In the end, the luck and the breaks went the way of the Summer holders, Jolyon and John coming out on top in three games, 15/12, 15/14, 15/12.