Cameron Menzies admits his arm was shaking as Scot overcomes 'stinking' legs to bag vital win
Hot Scot surges into a Saturday showdown with Rob Cross after overcoming some hurdles in Hildesheim
Cameron Menzies staved off stinking legs and a shaking arm to surge into a Saturday showdown with Rob Cross.
The Scottish star produced a terrific fightback showing to sink dangerous Dutchman Wesley Plaisier and move into the second round of the German Darts Championship.
Menzies maintained the strong recent form which has seen him forge into the World’s Top 32 in the PDC rankings to secure a batting success and will now meet Cross in Hildesheim as he hunts Euro Tour glory.
The Ayrshire ace was delighted to win and said: “In the first two legs I don’t think I played badly, but Wesley started like a train.
“I came back and went 3-2 up, but as soon as I got that lead, all of a sudden the arm started shaking and I got a little bit tight. I went behind again, then the pressure was off me and I played well again!
“When Wesley hit that 143 to go 4-3 up, his tail was up, but he didn’t really kick on from that. I think if he went two legs in front, there was probably only one winner.
“Honestly, it was one of those up and down games. Wesley is a great player. He smashed me a few days ago on the ProTour, so I know how well the big man can play.
“I’ll take the win, but I was so nervous there. I knew I was playing well. I had a 95 average with two stinking legs, but there was lots of good scoring in between.
"I’ll go back and chill now, and I’m into tomorrow which has made this all worthwhile.”
Menzies is in action during the Saturday afternoon session where countryman and mate Peter Wright will begin his title defence.
Snakebite headlines this weekend’s action having produced a heroic display to topple World Champion Luke Littler and triumph in Hildesheim 12 months ago.
The two-time World champion faces homeland hero Ricardo Pietreczko or Polish star Radek Szaganski as he aims to end a disappointing run of form.
Wright has dropped out of the World’s Top 16 having struggled for his best and is looking for a boost ahead of a key run of major events looming culminating in his attempts to win a third World crown at the Alexandra Palace at the end of the year.