SCOTT Mitchell admitted he had avoided a temper tantrum by storming to Belfry Open success in Bruges.

The Bransgore ace sealed his first singles success in nine months by defeating Scotland's Ross Montgomery 3-1 in sets in the final.

A passionate supporter of Poole Speedway, 'Scotty Dog' revealed how Saturday's triumph had offset missing Pirates' double-header against Somerset and the draw against Swindon.

He told the Daily Echo: "The only downside was missing the Pirates meetings and had I not won, I'd have been absolutely fuming. My hobby is getting in the way of my real hobby!

"But I'm well chuffed. I hadn't played like I did at the weekend for a while.

"I put the bag in the car when I left and said 'I'm really due one'. I went there a bit more relaxed and played some great stuff.

"I hit five 180s in the final alone and I'm not usually a big 180 hitter at all."

En route to the showdown with Montgomery, Mitchell saw off the likes of Gary Robson (2-0 in sets), Wayne Warren (5-0 in legs), Martin Atkins (4-1) and Bradley Kirk (4-2).

And he mopped up a 160 checkout on his way to victory against Montgomery.

In Sunday's Bruges Open, the Dorset county star made it to the quarter-finals, defeating throwers including James Hurrell and Toon Greebe along the way.

Mitchell was denied by Jim Williams in the last eight, a 12-darter from his opponent wrapping up a 5-4 win.