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Matthew Stevens had plenty to smile about as he was crowned the new Northern Ireland Trophy champion.

Last season's beaten World Championship finalist held his nerve to clinch a 9-7 victory over seven-time world champion Stephen Hendry at the Waterfront Hall in Belfast.

The Welshman led 6-2 at the interval after a stunning start to this year's final, the first tournament of the domestic calendar.

Right-hander Stevens knocked in breaks of 86, 100 and 65 as he surged into a 3-0 lead, before Scot Hendry finally hit back with a 61 run which won him frame four.

However, Stevens won the next two frames, the sixth giving him a four-frame advantage after Hendry missed a routine green.

Stevens then compiled a 77 break to edge 6-1 ahead, before Hendry dug deep with a 55 run to stay within touching distance before the concluding evening session.

The resumption saw Hendry, last season's Malta Cup winner, come out of the blocks firing on all cylinders and it was not long before Stevens was under pressure.

Perthshire potter Hendry won the next two frames to claw back to 6-4 behind, before former UK and Masters champion Stevens edged 8-5 ahead.

But the Welsh player then saw Hendry work his way back to just one frame away from levelling at 8-7.

Stevens, though, kept his cool and despite a pressure 16th frame emerged victorious with some solid potting to secure his first silverware of the season.