Darts: Scott Mitchell beats Martin Adams to land his first BDO World Championship

What the contest lacked in quality - and it lacked plenty - it made up for in drama as the match swung one way and then the other

Scott Mitchell beat three-time champion Martin Adams 7-6 (PA)

Scott Mitchell held his nerve to land his first BDO World Championship crown with a nail-biting 7-6 win over Martin Adams tonight.

The 44-year-old had only won two matches on his previous five visits to the Lakeside going into this year's tournament, but against a three-time champion he stayed calm at the death to win the £100,000 top prize.

Mitchell burst into tears before roaring with delight and embracing his family in the crowd.

Both players had real finishing problems throughout the match, but Adams was the more afflicted and it proved costly.

What the contest lacked in quality - and it lacked plenty - it made up for in drama as the match swung one way and then the other. Neither player was able to establish more than a one-set lead, but, after missing a dart for the title when 6-5 and 2-1 in front, Mitchell clinched the deciding set 3-1.

Mitchell told the BBC: "This is quite amazing.

"Halfway through that I really wished I was watching it, I didn't really want to be up here.

"It's everything that dreams are made of really, I can't believe it."

Fifty-eight-year-old Adams got off to a flying start with two 180s in his first three visits to the oche, but the doubles eluded him.

He missed eight doubles in the first set as Mitchell took it 3-0.

Adams, who was also taken to a deciding set in his semi-final win over Glen Durrant, struggled again with his finishing in the opening leg of the second set, but finally took it against the throw and produced a 123 checkout to go 2-0 up. He started the next leg with five perfect darts, which paved the way for him to level the match to love.

The three-time champion moved 2-1 ahead by taking the third set 3-2, but Mitchell hit straight back.

Mitchell took the first leg of the fifth set against the throw and then missed four darts at a double to go 2-0 up. The finishing problems were now Mitchell's as Adams regrouped to establish a 3-2 advantage.

Those problems threatened to continue as Mitchell missed two darts at double top to take the sixth set 3-0, but he recovered to win it 3-1 and level the match at 3-3.

There were three breaks of throw in the first three legs of the seventh set before Mitchell finally held his throw to make it 4-3.

Mitchell missed four darts for a 5-3 lead, leaving Adams instead to level the match at 4-4.

The man with 22 years of Lakeside experience moved 2-0 ahead in the next set, but a 94 checkout with a bull finish helped calm Mitchell's nerves and he duly reeled off the next two legs for a 5-4 lead.

Adams made it all square again, finally hitting double 16 at the fifth time of asking.

After another three straight breaks at the start of the 11th set Mitchell held his throw to move to within one set of the title.

Mitchell led 2-1 and had a dart for the title, but missed double 16 and Adams upped his game, taking out 91 to make it 6-6.

But Mitchell came again, breaking throw in the first leg of the decider and going on to win it 3-1 with double top to end the drama and take the title.

PA