BRANSGORE'S Scott Mitchell helped England to team glory at the Europe Cup in the Netherlands.

Mitchell and co saw off the Dutch 9-6 in the final, taking silver in the overall competition behind the hosts.

The former Lakeside champion and Dorset county star suffered a surprise exit in the first round of the singles to Malta's Norbert Attard, losing 4-3.

Mitchell and James Hurrell made it to the quarter-finals of the pairs before losing to eventual winners Wesley Harms and Richard Veenstra.

"England have a great history in the Europe Cup," said Mitchell. "There's always a certain amount of pressure before we even get on the plane from just having the England shirt in your suitcase.

"As darts gains more exposure, it's becoming more popular across Europe. Matches against countries you would feel a certainty to win in the past are not like that any more as standards have risen dramatically.

"A team event win under lots of pressure was a good way to end 2016 for the men's team."

Prior to the Europe Cup, Mitchell won the pairs competition with Ross Montgomery at the British Open in Bridlington. He was beaten 4-2 in the last 32 of the singles by Scott Baker.