Ross 'The Boss' has fire in his belly again as he takes major title
Ross Montgomery got the fire back in his belly to win the World Senior Darts Champion of Champions title, and says enjoying his game was key to victory.
'The Boss' triumphed in Portsmouth as he defeated defending champion Richie Howson 8-5 in the final at the MODUS Live Lounge, having also knocked out Raymond van Barneveld and Trina Gulliver.
Greenhills champion Montgomery, 62, says staying focused, and undertaking an 18k walk with wife Dorothy before the final, played a huge part.
Ross, who received the trophy from former champion Phil Taylor, said: 'It's good. This one isn't in as big a box as the World Championship one was, but it's a good feeling and I do wish this sort of thing happened a long time ago.
'I was winning titles, but nothing as prestigious as this, and it's helping.
'I was very pleased to win this, considering the way I played against Trina in the first match.
'I went 4-0 up and thought 'job done' but then went 'oops, it's first to five' and then tried to refocus.
'Trina was absolutely superb, she was hitting everything, and she brought it back to 4-4.
'I managed to pull it out the bag, beat her 5-4, and I was thinking 'it's Barney next', so got the focused head on, tried to remember the days when I was playing for my country, and how it felt, getting the fire in the belly, and it worked – I really enjoyed it.'
Montgomery added: 'Barney was a total gentleman in defeat, but beating him was quite a pinnacle for me, and I felt good, going into the final.
'I had played Richie a few times in the MODUS series, and he had done me like a kipper a couple of times, but I know I've got a game against him.
'The heat was unbelievable towards the end of the game, we were both pretty warm, but I think I was handling it a little bit better.
'We had done an 18k walk the day before, and I think that helped. I didn't go out to do 18k, but Dorothy loves to walk, and it was a beautiful day. I think that helped, and I managed to pull through in the final.'
Senior World Champion Montgomery will defend his title at Epsom in November, and said: 'I daresay there will be a few targets on my back, who will want to get me, because they're fed up with me winning!
'Now I'm at this age and playing in this, if they go they go, and if I win, I win – I'm enjoying it.'
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