Darts: Warriner coasts to Dublin victory

Alan Warriner won the 2001 Paddy Power World Grand Prix in Dublin after a crushing 8-2 defeat of Roland Scholten.

Warriner, who had lost in four world finals before this event, controlled the game from the outset and a clinical 157 checkout sealed victory.

Scholten took the opening leg but Warriner hit back straight away to level the score and after the Dutchman missed a chance in the next leg, Warriner took advantage and a 100 checkout in the fourth leg secured the opening set.

The "Ice Man" looked cool and composed at the oche and, though Scholten was beginning to settle down, he kept on missing vital doubles and a 158 finish from Warriner put him in a position to take the second set.

The next four legs were shared but when it came to the crunch Warriner held his nerve to finish with 82 and move 3-1 ahead.

Warriner moved 2-1 ahead in the fourth set and he out-scored his opponent in the fourth leg to put himself in a good position. The number two seed missed his first two attempts at double top but Scholten squandered three opportunities and Warriner eventually won the set with double five.

A 116 checkout gave Scholten the first leg of the sixth set but Warriner reeled off the next three legs to move into a 5-1 lead.

He also clinched the seventh set by the same scoreline to move within two of victory.

Scholten, who destroyed a rejuvenated John Lowe 7-1 in the semi-finals, could not lift his game and Warriner coasted to a 3-0 success in the eighth.

The Dutch star reduced the deficit by taking the ninth set but Warriner was not to be denied and he wrapped up victory with a fabulous checkout.