The electric atmosphere of London’s Alexandra Palace turned from jubilation to shock during the PDC World Darts Championship when Scottish star Cameron Menzies, overcome by rage after a heartbreaking first-round loss, repeatedly punched the underside of the on-stage drinks table. The 36-year-old veteran, seeded 26th, drew blood from his knuckles in the dramatic meltdown, leaving a trail of crimson as he exited the stage amid boos from the crowd. His opponent, 20-year-old English debutant Charlie Manby, had just clinched a thrilling 3-2 victory, but the focus swiftly shifted to Menzies’ furious reaction, with blood visibly smeared across his hand and face.
The match was a gripping battle from the start, embodying the high-pressure intensity that defines the world’s premier darts tournament. Menzies, a powerful thrower with a reputation for emotional play, surged ahead early. He captured the opening set despite squandering numerous darts at doubles, showcasing his resilience under the bright lights. Bolstered by several 180 maximums, he extended his lead to 2-1 in sets, appearing on course for a routine progression. Yet Manby, the effervescent youngster from Huddersfield known as “Champagne Charlie,” refused to wilt on his big-stage debut. Displaying composure that belied his age, he clawed back to level at 2-2, forcing a tense deciding set where missed doubles dominated the narrative.
Nerves gripped both players in the decider, with opportunities evaporating time and again. Manby, after faltering on his first six match darts, finally nailed the crucial double to seal the upset. The teenager erupted in celebration, thrusting his arms skyward and basking in the roar of the partisan crowd, marking a fairy-tale entrance to the championship. In stark contrast, Menzies could not contain his devastation. As Manby approached for the handshake, the Scot turned away and unleashed three forceful punches into the table’s underside. Water bottles scattered, his darts case tumbled to the floor, and blood quickly welled from a deep gash on his hand.
The crowd’s cheers for Manby turned to boos as referee Kirk Bevins intervened, calmly urging Menzies to compose himself and leave the stage. The defeated player briefly raised his hands—perhaps in apology—before departing, wiping blood across his face. He received immediate medical attention backstage and was later transported to hospital for further treatment.
Commentators were left stunned by the unsavory conclusion. Former Premier League champion Glen Durrant remarked, “It wasn’t the ending we all want to see. For Cameron Menzies, I think he will regret that for the rest of his life, it wasn’t a good watch.” Durrant also hailed the winner, adding that Manby looked like “a superstar in the making.”
This early exit represents another painful chapter for Menzies at Alexandra Palace, his second consecutive first-round defeat. The previous year, personal difficulties had left him in tears after a loss. This time, frustration manifested in aggression, underscoring the mental demands of elite competition.
In a prompt and reflective statement released shortly after, Menzies expressed deep remorse. “First of all, I would like to apologise for what happened,” he said. “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 me how much he thought of me. He treated me like a son. 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 in recent days.”
He added, keen to shift spotlight back to the victor: “It was the wrong thing to do and I don’t want it to take anything away from Charlie. He played well and deserved his win. 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.”
The incident has been referred to the Darts Regulation Authority for review, with potential sanctions under rules against aggressive or disruptive behavior. While no immediate action has been taken, officials have prioritized player welfare, confirming discussions with Menzies and his team to offer support.
For Manby, the triumph is a defining moment. Overcoming a seeded player in a five-set epic, he advances to the next round with momentum, emerging as one of the sport’s brightest prospects alongside contemporaries like Luke Littler.
Darts thrives on its raw emotion, where the oche becomes a stage for triumph and torment. Menzies’ outburst, while regrettable, highlights the human side of professional sport—the thin line between passion and loss of control. As the tournament rolls on with more captivating stories, this episode serves as a vivid reminder of the stakes involved.
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