Justin Pipe whitewashed Paul Nicholson 6-0 to win the first Players Championship of the year in Benidorm.
Taunton veteran continues where he left off in 2011
Justin Pipe whitewashed Paul Nicholson 6-0 to win the first Players Championship of the year in Benidorm.
Pipe continued the form that saw him make six of the last 10 Players' finals in 2011 by claiming his fourth ranking title and £6000 to boot.
The 40-year-old from Taunton showed strong form throughout the event as he picked up seven victories, having begun the day by seeing off Eduardo Sales Lopes, Michael Barnard and Michael Smith.
He then defeated Mark Webster 6-4, saw off Shaun Griffiths 6-2 in the quarter-finals and Ian White 6-4 in the semis, but saved his most convincing display for the decider.
Having hit a 180 in the final's opening leg, Pipe also took the next two to lead 3-0 before finishing 81 in two darts for a four-leg advantage.
Nicholson missed two darts at double 18 in the fifth before Pipe hit a tricky tops with his third dart to move a leg away from the win, which he sealed by following a 180 with an improvised 26 finish of double six and double seven.
"It's a brilliant way to start the year," said Pipe. "Paul's always a tough opponent so I'm delighted to have won the final, and it wasn't as easy as the scoreline might suggest.
"I couldn't have asked for anything else today and it's fantastic to have carried my form from the latter part of last year into 2012."
Nicholson, meanwhile, picked up £3,000 as he enjoyed a run to the final, which included a high-quality 6-2 victory over Magnus Caris in the semis.
He also overcame Co Stompe, Steve Beaton and Mark Walsh in his run on the day in a strong start to the year.
