Webster overcomes nerves to take World Championship

Published on Monday 14 January 2008 09:22

TRAINEE plumber Mark Webster will make the most of his World Championship celebrations today – because he is back to college tomorrow.

Welsh world No.1 Webster held off a strong comeback from Australian Simon Whitlock to claim the BDO title in a thrilling final at Frimley Green last night.

The left-hander raced into a 3-0 lead, but unseeded Whitlock refused to throw in the towel and made 24-year-old Webster sweat for his 7-5 victory. Webster collected a cheque for 85,000 for his Lakeside success but life will quickly return to normality as he resumes his plumbing course.

"That is the biggest game I have played in and I was bound to get nervous," Webster said. "I did not expect Simon to let me run away with it. What he did in the match was what I expected from him. He played brilliant, he is a top man. I didn't smile on stage, but I think that was the adrenaline. I did enjoy myself – you have to because it might be your only chance to take part in the World Championship. I've got a day off and then it's back into college to continue my plumbing course."

Whitlock made a slow start, but hit back to trail only 3-2 before Webster restored a two-set advantage. The hirsute Whitlock then took two of the next three, but Webster put himself in sight of victory by taking the tenth set.

Still the Australian, enjoying a fairytale run in the tournament, could not be shaken off and he convincingly rattled off the next 3-0. That reduced the arrears to 6-5, but Webster showed no sign of nerves to take the next leg with just 11 darts. Tension rose as Whitlock pulled back another leg, but Webster eked out the next two legs to clinch the title in style.