Warren retains MAD World Championship with thrilling finale against Mitchell

Wayne Warren has made the first defence of his MAD World Championship belt after seeing off Scott Mitchell in a thrilling end to The Dawn launch.

Warren was crowned the initial World Champion due to winning the BDO version before their demise and will continue as such with his new belt after a tense finale against 'Scotty Dog'.

Mitchell went 2-1 ahead but Warren quickly tied it up and went 4-3 up as Mitchell couldn't pounce on the opportunity to break throw.

Mitchell held to make it 4-4 and make it very much a level game still. A potentially pivotal 101 checkout followed from Warren to make it 5-4.

In the requisite leg, Warren got himself back into it by hitting a 140 and a 180 to leave 55 with Mitchell on 82 and it was the former who pinned it to make it 6-4.

Following that, Mitchell made it 6-5 but in a leg where both spurned multiple chances, Warren was first to the post and made it 7-5.

A brilliant 121 in contrast made it 8-5 to Warren with a hold as he continued to edge towards the finishing line.

He went 9-5 up after Warren once again capitalised on another chance laden leg for Mitchell but another twist was potentially set to come as 'Scotty Dog' stopped the rot with a break and held from there to close the gap to two.

Warren was punished for a poor miscount as he left 172 and Mitchell pinned a 71 checkout to make it 9-8 with another break.

Mitchell was once again first to a finish and left 36 from 121 with Warren on 171. The former pinned double nine last dart in hand to suddenly make it parity at 9-9.

Warren started his throw with a 180 as he looked to wrestle back control and 96 left 48 as he established some small breathing space in the leg.

He stopped the rot to make it 10-9 and go one away. Mitchell gambled that Warren wouldn't get 135 and he didn't.

But Warren retained the World Championship belt after Mitchell couldn't take his opportunity.

John O'Shea (84.75) 5-9 (93.00) James Richardson (European title, best of 17 legs)

Jim Williams (88.46) 8-2 (83.96) Richie Burnett (Welsh title, best of 15 legs)

Ryan Hogarth (79.59) 1-8 (96.97) Gary Stone (Scottish title, best of 15 legs)

Paul Hogan (81.70) 8-7 (81.88) Darryl Fitton (English title, best of 15 legs)

Wayne Warren (86.54) 11-9 (89.38) Scott Mitchell (World title, best of 21 legs)