Darts: Priestley victorious

DENNIS PRIESTLEY, the World No 1, won his 11th title of the year when he beat Dave Askew in the final of the British Open Championship yesterday. Priestley had beaten nine opponents before winning the final in two straight sets.

The 42-year-old Priestley, who won pounds 3,000, now has his sights on the pounds 30,000 first prize at the Embassy World Professional Championship, which begins at Frimley Green on New Year's Day.

Sandra Greatbatch took the women's singles title, beating her Welsh international colleague Leeanne Maddock 3-1.

Phil Taylor, the world champion, has ruled himself out of England's squad for next year by not playing enough inter-county matches.