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Alan Warriner beat Roland Scholten (Holland) 8 - 2Alan 'The Ice Man' Warriner was crowned Paddy Power World Grand Prix champion in Dublin on Sunday, with a victory over Roland Scholten 8 sets to 2.
Not a classic by any means but for Alan Warriner, who has been defeated in four world finals, it was a truly sweet moment as he lifted his first ever PDC world title.
Warriner has admitted as the week's gone on that his game has faded rather than improved. The crucial factor however, has been that he has done enough in each match to swing it.
While Warriner has been inconsistent in his play this week, Scholten has thrown some great darts and as a result was favourite to win the event. In every game he has established a steady rhythm to overcome his oppenent but that was not to be in this final.
The match started at a snail's pace, with both players suffering from opening nerves. Both seemed to have the jitters as they missed a handful of doubles on the out shots.
Warriner eventually took the opener and the crowd thought they were on for a cracker when Scholten immediately pulled back in the next set.
The standard of the set was summed up in the last leg, when Roland missed eleven darts to get off at the double and by the time Warriner won it, Scholten had come within one dart of winning it himself.In fairness to the number two seed, he picked up his game from this point onwards. It wasn't breath-taking darts by any means, but enough to really seal Warriner's grip on the game.
At 7 sets to 1 Scholten relaxed and began to pick up his game and with the Ice Man one set from victory he won a set 3-0 to make it 7-2.
There was still time for Wozza to show his class and he sent the crowd mad and claimed the tournament, with a truly outstanding 157 out.A relived Warriner commented, "I am a little lost for words at the moment but I am just so relieved because I have tried my heart out all week. I am just pleased to have done it at last. I got well in front early in the match but I always said that event single leg was crucial."
An emotional Wozza lifted the cup dedicated his victory to the memory of his father Arnold 'Punch' Warriner who died just last month. "My family have been my priority recently. Life is more important than darts and maybe that release of pressure may be why I have done so well tonight" Wozza stressed.Warriner will be hoping to capitalise on his victory at the World Grand Prix and carry on his winning form at the Skol World Championships and stop the legend Phil 'The Power' Taylor winning his tenth World Championship title.
