Hampshire’s Paul Hogan claimed his second Stubbington Ark Hampshire Open Darts title more than a decade after he won his first.

The 50-year-old England international, who won his first Hampshire Open in 2002, mastered a quality field of 268 players at Southampton Novotel at the weekend.

He finished off by beating Southampton-born Devon county player Antony Hayman in the final.

It was scarcely ever in doubt that the trophy would return to Hampshire for the first time in four years as Hogan opened up a 4-0 lead before Hayman won his first leg.

And the delivery driver soon forgot about that small blip to romp to a 6-1 victory to claim the £1,000 winner’s prize money in the best of 11 legs format.

Hogan, whose nickname is ‘Crocodile Dundee’ after the film starring his namesake Australian actor, became only the second player in Open history, after three times winner Colin Monk, to claim the trophy more than once.

In eight hours of outstanding darts, there were many nail-biting and exciting moments at the oche.

Excellent The best checkout of the day was made by Bournemouth’s Robbie Martin who managed a 170 finish in round two.

Former Embassy World Champion Les Wallace made an appearance, but failed to emulate his success in 2004, dropping out of the competition in the early stages.

Monk, who won the event last in 2009, went out in the last 32 to the Isle of Wight’s Tony Broughton, who put in several excellent performances to reach the semi-final.

Broughton saw off Southampton’s Linton Hickman in the quarter-final 4-0, eventually getting beaten by Hogan 5-1 in the last four.

Hickman, a pub player from Woolston, impressed all day against quality opponents, including in a defeat of Hampshire player and Welsh international Mike Gillet 4-3 in the last 16.

He performed admirably before defeat against former England international, Broughton.

In the other semi-final, Hayman whitewashed Hampshire’s Mick Street 5-0.

Daily Echo:

Hogan was in high spirits after lifting the trophy. He said: “I am very pleased, I’ve won it twice now and it’s very nice to win the double.

“It was a long time since I last won here.

“It is a very good feeling and I’m happy about my performance today.

“The atmosphere was great and they (the crowd) really got behind me.

“It’s really good to have them there; it was a great turn out by the fans.”

The vastly-experienced BDO player was in clinical form as he wrapped the first leg up, exiting with a double 18 to take an early lead.

It looked as if Hayman would level in the second leg as he made quick work of the 501.

But after failing to find the double on a couple of occasions, Hogan took advantage and moved further ahead.

It was a similar story as the game progressed and Hayman never really looked as if he would catch Hogan, the 2013 BDO Gold Cup winner.

Hogan also recently competed at the UK Open where he beat former world champion John Part before losing to Mark Webster 9-8.