DOUG Smith waltzed off with the Rod Winstanley Star Individual Darts Trophy after an emphatic final victory over Steve Comber. Smith had gone one leg down against Comber, but fought back magnificently with some super arrows.

After levelling the match, Smith took the third leg in 13 darts after throwing two 140s and a ton.

Although Comber threw some great arrows, including 140, 100 and 129, Smith just had the edge in the fourth leg. Two tons and a 180 saw Smith home in 14 darts in the fifth leg.

Smith earned himself an additional £50, courtesy of JBR Plastics, Rainford, with a 13 dart finish in the third leg.

Smith was a hot favourite after accounting for Gary Welding in a closely fought semi-final. Despite some good throwing from Welding, Smith remained his usual unflappable self to take the game three legs to one.

The other semi final saw Steve Comber also triumph 3-1 over Colin Young.

Highlight of the quarter final was the game between former winners Peter Turton and Gary Welding. Turton took the tournament's highest check out prize of £50, sponsored by Milton's Jewellers, with a finish of 144 on his way to taking an equalising second leg.

Both players took another leg each, before Welding took the fifth leg to go through.

Results: Quarter final: Michael Holt 1 Colin Young 4, Peter Turton 2 Gary Welding 3, Doug Smith 3 Ali Thompson 1, Andrew Rodger 0 Steve Comber 3.

Semi-final: Gary Welding 1 Doug Smith 3, Steve Comber 3 Colin Young 1.

Final: Doug Smith 4 Steve Comber 1.

Smith was presented with the Rod Winstanley Star Individual Darts Trophy, named after the former St Helens Star sports editor, who died in November.

The 180 Trophy, provided by Garswood Trophies for the players hitting the most 180s, was shared by Doug Smith and Gary Welding.