Yorkshire's Willstrop is ranked sixth in the world (Getty)

Pontefract's James Willstrop successfully defended his British National Championship title, beating club-mate Lee Beachill in three games.

Willstrop won in 39 minutes in Manchester on Sunday to become only the second person in the history of the event to win back-to-back men's titles.

He said: "I was pleased to have closed it out - I couldn't afford to give him a sniff.

"It's a big tournament and a very important one to me."

Interview: British National Champion James Willstrop

Willstrop arrived in Manchester as firm favourite to retain his title after a highly successful year on the world tour.

But his Pontefract club-mate Beachill - a three times champion who underwent hernia surgery at the beginning of the New Year - had battled through to a record seventh final appearance against the odds.

If that's the top standard in the world, then I'm not that far away Pontefract's beaten finalist Lee Beachill

Willstrop edged ahead after a finely-balanced first game, then closed the match out as Beachill's lack of match fitness began to show to win 11-9 11-8 11-4.

Willstrop's next major target is the World Championship in Manchester in October.

The new champion said: "The World Open is my biggest focus this year - and, being here in Manchester, it will clearly be a massive event."

Meanwhile Beachill was left to reflect on his inability to add to his three previous titles.

"If that's the top standard in the world, then I'm not that far away," he said.

"On reflection, I can't be too unhappy. I've not got a lot more to prove in this tournament."

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