James Willstrop ended the year on a high by beating Nick Matthew in the English Open final in Sheffield.

He recovered from a game down to upset fellow Yorkshireman and England number one Matthew 9-11 11-9 11-6 11-6, winning his eighth PSA Tour title.

Only days earlier, the pair had joined forces as England successfully defended their World Team crown in India.

Willstrop said: "We both had to push, but I just managed to produce the win. I was very pleased with way I played."

The 24-year-old also won Canary Wharf Classic in London in March and the English Grand Prix in Birmingham in September

He could now overtake Matthew in the first rankings list of 2008.