Scott Waites vows to keep Grand Slam

Grand Slam champion Scott Waites has vowed to "fight to the death" to keep hold of his crown at Wolverhampton Civic Hall this year.

The reigning title holder was a guest at the pre-Grand Slam party at the Cleveland Arms, Stowheath Lane, with four of his rivals under the same roof last night.

'The champ' came across Mark Walsh, Tony O'Shea, Brendan Dolan and hometown hero Wayne Jones - who opens the tournament against Dolan at Wolverhampton Civic Hall tonight.

Waites starts his defence in Group A against Michael van Gerwen tonight, 12 months after he came from 8-0 down to beat the much-fancied James Wade 16-12 in the final.

It was the biggest victory of his career and one of the greatest comebacks in history, based on a never-say-die attitude.

'Scotty 2 Hotty' has since lifted the BDO World Masters but finds himself again mixed up with PDC talent in the year's only 'cross over' tournament.

And the 34-year-old insists he's coming to fire on all cylinders as he strives to keep a grip on his crown, looking to call on "Yorkshire grit."

The Halifax-based darter said: "It's good to be coming into the Grand Slam this week as seed No 1. Actually, it made my week to see Phil Taylor as seed No 2.

"I am playing well at the minute, I never give anything way, I always fight to the death so I am going to try my hardest.

"I will use that bit of Yorkshire grit, get stuck in and you never know. Hopefully, I can have a good run this year as well."