Ken Doherty finally got his season out of first gear by lifting the Malta Grand Prix Trophy tonight. World champion Doherty bounced back to form after a low key start the 1997-98 campaign to score a 7-5 victory over John Higgins in the final of the eight-man invitation tournament.

The Irishman, who pocketed a cheque for £5,000 has now won ten events during a pro-career which got underway in 1990 but he had not prevailed in overseas competitions since winning the World Amateur Championship in Singapore eight years ago.

"This is a great confidence boost for me," declared Doherty. "It was sweet because I came here badly needing to do something positive after a series of disappointments."

Doherty got off to an unconvincing start dropping the first two frames before making an impact in the third. It was a temporary revival though as Higgins took the next and attempting to pot the last red in frame five, managed a fluked snooker from which Doherty could not recover. He eventually made contact on the third attempt but it was too last and Higgins led 4-1.

Following a break for a charity auction Doherty emerged with all guns blazing. Aided by contributions of 88 and 73 he levelled at 44. He establishing a 56-8 advantage in frame nine, but Higgins fought back to claim the frame and the lead.

Undeterred, Doherty thumped in breaks of 50 and 80 to lead 6-5 and stylishly crossed the winning line with a run of 115 - the highest of the tournament and its only century.