Cameron Menzies stuns Luke Humphries at the World Matchplay as Price survives Schindler scare

Cameron Menzies pulled off the biggest win of his career to date as he defeated Luke Humphries with a sensational 170 checkout in Round One of the World Matchplay on Monday.

The maverick Scotsman was at his brilliant best as he clinched a 10-7 scalp of the 2024 champion to register his first win on the Winter Gardens stage.

After a frantic start with seven straight breaks of throw including a sublime double-double 129 checkout from Menzies and an emphatic 167 reply from Humphries, the Scot reeled off five consecutive legs to surge 8-3 in front.

Humphries dug deep and replied with four straight legs of his own, but Menzies maintained his composure, taking out 98 before conjuring a magical big fish finish to seal a historic victory.

“No matter what I do in my life, I will take this to my grave,” exclaimed Menzies.

“No one gave me hope, I didn’t give myself hope – I’ve finally won a game at the Winter Gardens!

“When it was at 7-3, I was just trying not to think of that finish line.

“To beat someone as amazing as Humphries on this stage… that’s my biggest win in the PDC.”

Meanwhile, Gerwyn Price produced a resilient comeback to edge out Martin Schindler 11-9 and record his sixth consecutive first round win in Blackpool.

Despite the German number one leading 4-0 and 6-2, Price battled back to go 9-8 ahead, only for Schindler to land a clutch 121 checkout to take the match to a tie-break.

Nevertheless, the 2022 Matchplay runner-up immediately broke throw to lead 10-9, before pinning a 100 checkout to squeeze through and condemn Schindler to a fifth consecutive first round exit at the Empress Ballroom.

“Without the crowd, I would have lost today,” confessed Price, who came back from 6-2 down to win nine of the last 12 legs.

“It was probably the worst I’ve played all season. It was a tough one for me, I’m low on confidence at the minute just because I haven’t played a lot.

“That’s probably one of those game I should have lost, but I’ve won and I’m still in the tournament. I’ll put some hours on the board tomorrow.

“I’ll definitely be better the next round, I can’t be any worse!”

Meanwhile, Ross Smith held off a spirited fightback from debutant Kevin Doets to prevail 10-6 in a high quality contest.

The former European Champion charged into a 5-0 lead which included a ten-dart leg and a 160 checkout, though Doets rallied to reduce the deficit to 6-4.

Smith took three legs straight to go one away from victory, and despite Doets taking out a skin-saving 161 checkout to threaten a remarkable comeback, the Englishman sealed victory with a 120 checkout.

“When Kevin came back fighting it was a bit nervy, but all credit to him,” said Smith, who defied a 104 average from his opponent with the aid of seven 180s.

“He’s a really nice lad and what a player. He’s just averaged 104 on his debut at the World Matchplay. I wish I could have done that!

“I started the game really well. I’ve been working on my finishing and it’s been paying off, so long may it continue.”

“I was sat up there [on the balcony] when I was 14 years old watching darts, so it’s amazing to be here. It’s an absolute privilege.”

Doets’ 104.2 average was in fact the highest-ever recorded in a debut match at the World Matchplay.

Elsewhere, 2019 World Matchplay champion Rob Cross romped to a 10-3 demolition of Danny Noppert.

The former World Champion blitzed into a 5-0 lead and kept the Dutchman at arm’s length throughout the contest, ending with an average north of 97 and 53 per cent success rate on the doubles.

Betfred World Matchplay 2026 Day Three Results

Monday July 20

First Round

Ross Smith 10-6 Kevin Doets
Gerwyn Price 11-9 Martin Schindler
Luke Humphries 7-10 Cameron Menzies
Danny Noppert 3-10 Rob Cross