MARDLE URGES MENZIES TO LEARN FROM ALLY PALLY MELTDOWN

WAYNE MARDLE has urged Cameron Menzies to learn from his Ally Pally meltdown and get the right support after a chaotic World Darts Championship exit.

‘Cammy’ cut a frustrated figure after suffering a shock 3-2 first-round defeat to 20-year-old debutant Charlie Manby, with the 26th seed’s afternoon unravelling both on and off the oche. 

The Scot was left visibly furious after the loss, burning his hand on a stage firework during his walk-off before repeatedly punching a table as his frustration boiled over. 

Sky Sports pundit Mardle admitted he felt sympathy for Menzies’ emotions but insisted his behaviour crossed a line. 

He said: “The frustration boiled over, the anger, the anguish in losing. But you’ve got to control that. 

“That’s what conducting yourself the right way is all about. And he didn’t – he let himself down. 

“I’m sure he’ll be punished accordingly by the Darts Regulation Authority. But I hope the Professional Darts Players Association are there for him. 

“You can’t do that anywhere, let alone on the biggest stage of all. I hope he can correct his behaviour and move forward.” 

Menzies later apologised for his behaviour, revealing he had been coping with a family tragedy. 

He explained: “First of all, I would like to apologise for what happened. 

“I am sorry that I reacted in the manner that I did. It’s not an excuse, but I have had a lot of things on my mind recently and I suppose it all just became too much at the end. 

“It has not been an easy time for me with my uncle Gary passing away recently. 

“I saw him four days before he died and he gave me a look which told how much he thought of me. 

“Had I won the game against Charlie, my second match would have been on the day of Gary’s funeral and that hasn’t been lost on me. 

“Let me say again, that’s no excuse for what I did on the stage. It was the wrong thing to do and I don’t want it to take anything away from Charlie. He played well. 

“This is not how I would like people to view me. Yes I can get emotional at times, but not like that and that wasn’t right.” 

PDC chief Matt Porter confirmed the organisation would stand by the player and offer him support during a difficult period. 

He said: “I spoke with Cameron and his management before he left the venue, and he knows there is support available from the PDC and the PDPA (Professional Darts Players Association). 

“Any incident of this nature is reported to the Darts Regulation Authority for review, but our main priority is the player’s health and wellbeing.”

Image by Taylor Lanning.