BRANSGORE thrower Scott Mitchell expressed his pride at retaining the England National Singles crown.

The Dorset star and England captain came through eight rounds of competition to lift the title at Bunn Leisure Holiday Centre in Selsey.

And the 48-year-old, who will return to the same venue to skipper his country in the Six Nations later this week, stressed the importance of leading from the front.

He told the Daily Echo: “For me, if you are England captain, it is important you are there or thereabouts in your national singles.

“I think I was really consistent. There was the odd poor leg but I don’t think you’re human if you don’t have those.

“I had good legs at the right times and hit a couple of big shots at big moments.

“You don’t make lots of these finals or see lots of names on the cup time after time because it’s a really difficult one to win.

“I played in the final in 2008 and thought I had blown my chance. I never thought I would get back to another final and, to win it in 2017 and do it again this year, I was very proud.”

Having progressed through the early stages, Mitchell saw off Kyle McKinstry 4-1 in the last eight.

He recorded a dazzling 155 finish on his way to knocking out the Northern Ireland international, who had beaten the Dorset star in BDO World Trophy earlier this month.

The following day, Scotty Dog edged a tight encounter 5-4 against Dave Parletti to set up a final against Martin Atkins.

And a 6-3 victory over the Yorkshire thrower ensured Scotty Dog kept the trophy for another 12 months.

He added: “It’s a difficult one to win because we play the initial stages until the semi-finals on the Friday night.

“I was working during the day before getting there and had a pretty strenuous day, so to come through a couple of close games was really good.

“I was really pleased for Martin because he hadn’t been on TV too much for the past couple of years and was one of my first friends when I went on the circuit.

“To see him back playing at his best in a final, it was a pleasure to play him.

“It was nip and tuck. I held my own throw to go 4-3 up and hit a 110 when he was sat on double top on his throw.

“I brought home the last leg with the darts – 6-3 looks a massive scoreline but it was rather flattering for me.”

Before sealing the crown on Saturday, Mitchell had been knocked out of the England Open in the early stages after losing 4-3 to Lee Shewan.

He is set to be part of an England side to take on the Netherlands and Northern Ireland in the group stages in Sussex, which begin on Friday.