Mark Williams reflected on his own second-time lucky as he came from well behind to beat his fellow Welshman Matthew Stevens to hoist the Embassy World Championship at Sheffield's Crucible Theatre tonight.

World number one Williams, beaten by Stephen Hendry in last year's final, prevailed 18-16 in a nail-biting climax to this year's championship to chalk up Wales' first title since Terry Griffiths took the world crown at his first attempt in 1979.

But he admitted it had been a gruelling examination not just of his ability but his nerve and will to win.

"I got here last year, and the pressure told in the end. I was never in it," he said.

"It looked like he Stevens was going to run away with it. But I managed to keep in there.

"In the last two matches I have been behind and come back, which is always nice.

"The crowd were fantastic - they always are here - and I look forward to coming back next year," added the 25-year-old left-hander from Cwm.

His compatriot Stevens, still only 22, looked set to become the youngest world champion since Stephen Hendry when he established a 13-7 lead.

But it was not to be, and he said: "It was looking good at 13-7. But to be fair to Mark, he has played brilliantly - and that is why he is the world number one. Good luck to him."