MISSING MENZIES KO’D BY CHIZZY
16/12/2023 By Phil Lanning
CAMERON MENZIES was hit with a chorus of “Scotland get battered everywhere they go” as his Paddy Power World Championship dream was ended.
Menzies, 33, won the opening set but then missed a great opportunity to beat Chizzy with a frustrating afternoon on the checkouts.
Menzies said: “I scored well the first set and missed doubles. But after that my doubles were alright apart from the last set.
“The scoring started deserting me and I kind of hit a wall halfway through the game. I don’t play set play very often, that’s maybe an excuse.
“I missed a chance to go two sets up and that’s a good place to be. I thought of that as I went for a 106 checkout. I thought ‘give yourself a chance’ and I didn’t do at all which is pretty gutting.
“I had opportunities in that game but I never took any of them. Chizzy doesn’t give many opportunities but he did then. I don’t think I capitalised on many of them. That’s why I’m going home and he’s still in.
“Winning that first game meant a lot to me. I was not as nervous today. I generally felt more calm because I’m not expected to win.
“I know I can give these guys a game. If I want to become a proper dart player I need to start taking those chances.
“If not I’ll still be working for the next 10 years!”
Chisnall admitted that he was surprised Menzies wasn’t as bubbly on stage like the previous night.
He said: “He wasn’t bouncing around the stage, he was more professional today. I knew he was going to play well.
“I’ve played him a few times. Sometimes you just giggle at him you can’t help it. You don’t want to but he’s a funny guy!
“I was hoping he’d be bouncing around and not proper concentrating up there.”
Menzies began the contest in fine form with three maximum 180s in the opening three legs.
But despite the big scoring, his doubles were very shaky with several missed checkouts.
However Chisnall was having a stinker early doors and Menzies took out the set with three straight legs.
The question was whether World No.11 Chizzy would turn up – and the answer was yes.
Suddenly the Scot was looked a bit ragged miss several wayward darts affecting his scoring as the English fans got on his back with the “Scotland get battered” chants.
At the same time Chizzy was starting to flow and another tops gave him control of the third set and double four gave him the lead in the match.
Menzies made a mess of the next set. Despite one good finish of 102, he missed another hatful of doubles to allow Chisnall to throw for the match with double five to wrap it up and end the Menzies dream.
Images by Taylor Lanning.
