Cameron Menzies can say he secured a place in the quarter-finals after a rollercoaster 48 hours at the Grand Slam of Darts.
After being dominated by Beau Greaves in a 5-1 group defeat, Menzies left WV Active Aldersley in a “huff”, believing he was out of action. On the way home, Danny Noppert secured a place in the last 16 with a 5-2 win over Martin Schindler.
Then a knockout opportunity with James Wade awaited and Wade headed into the clash.
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An emotional Cameron Menzies beat James Wade as the Scotsman won 10-9 in the last 16 of the Grand Slam of Darts.
Not only was Menzies waiting for it, but on paper he was working as a plumber until 1.30pm in Milton Keynes before returning to Wolverhampton for the biggest game of his life.
He then defeated Wade in a last-leg clutch decider, kneeling in relief, and as the victory sank in, he admitted that his mindset was something he needed to work on moving forward and might even get a sports psychologist.
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An emotional Cameron Menzies beat James Wade as the Scotsman won 10-9 in the last 16 of the Grand Slam of Darts.
“Obviously we were busy trying to win, but I think it was a bit of a slugfest,” Menzies said.
“I stayed on stage (during the break) because something I’d never done before didn’t happen to me.
“My last two legs were shaking like leaves, it’s been a long time since I felt this nervous.
“It was bad. We bottled it and got a little lucky.
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Beau Greaves won his first Grand Slam of Darts title this year after beating Cameron Menzies 5-1.
“I didn’t believe I should go in, I thought I should get out.
“I left here and I wasn’t in a good mood. I was angry, I was annoyed with myself, I was too emotionally invested, and that’s my weakness, because they don’t care enough about me.
“So I’m going to look into something like a sports psychologist because my mindset isn’t stable in that neck of the woods.
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James Wade was on the wrong end of luck as he was Robin Hooded in his match against Cameron Menzies and ended up at a potential 180.
“At that time, I thought I was outside, but when I got the call, I can’t explain it. I felt strange, ranging from irritation to ecstasy.
“I felt so high and low. I really don’t know how to explain the highs and lows. To be honest, it was a little mental.”
Menzies, a part-time player, will now face fellow part-timer Mickey Mansell in the quarter-finals. The Scotsman believes he played “the best darts of his life”.
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Northern Ireland’s Mickey Mansell advanced to the quarter-finals of the Grand Slam of Darts with a 10-7 win over eighth seed Danny Noppert.
“He’s just like me. We throw bigger punches than we do,” he added.
“I was lucky enough to pass, but Mickey deserved it. I think he’s playing the best darts I’ve ever seen.”
“He beat Danny Noppert, who was the firebrand in my group.
“Every day is different. Darts is a stupid, old game in that sense.
“I was punching above my weight, so now everything was a free hit.”
What’s next?
The tournament continues on Thursday 14 November, as did the last 16. It will be broadcast live on Sky Sports from 7pm.
Luke Littler will now face Mike De Decker with Dimitri Van den Bergh playing Jermaine Wattimena in the knockout stages. This means Ryan Joyce will face Gian Van Veen and Gary Anderson will face Stephen Bunting.
Live Grand Slam of Darts
Thursday, November 14th at 7pm
