Snooker: Doherty back among the trophies

Ken Doherty stormed back to snooker prominence by cruising to the Regal Welsh Open title.

The Irishman secured his fourth ranking event success with a runaway 9-2 victory over Paul Hunter.

It was the first time that Doherty has won a trophy since he triumphed at the Rothmans Malta Grand Prix last February.

"The most important thing for me is to be a winner again," said a delighted Doherty.

"It's been eight years since I had this on my mantelpiece and its great that it's going back there after all this time.

"Beating Stephen was a real boost, I pinched a few frames out there, scored quite heavily and I'm back on the rostrum. I couldn't be happier."

Doherty, due to marry fiance Sarah Prasad - an Australian born, Dublin-based psychiatrist - this summer, added: "She's a major part of my life and I can't wait to celebrate with her."

It was his first world ranking event win on British soil since he ended Hendry's 29-match unbeaten record in the final of the 1997 Embassy World Championship.

Doherty stormed to a 6-2 interval lead on the back of a series of 50 plus breaks but the highlight arrived in the eighth frame which he won courtesy of a stylish 125 clearance.

There was to be no relief for Hunter on the resumption as Doherty edged the first frame of the evening on the blue, compiled breaks of 43 and 56 for 8-2 and put the lid on a satisfying result with a run of 69.

The session lasted only 48 minutes and Hunter offered no excuses for such a heavy defeat.

"I missed too many easy balls, it was as simple as that," said the 22-year-old from Leeds.

"Things just wouldn't go my way and I didn't cue as well as I've been doing.

"The turning point was the fifth frame. I should've won it but it slipped away and after that I didn't get into the match.

"Ken didn't play his best but he was solid enough to beat me. Its all part of the learning experience."