Cameron Menzies into second round of World Darts Championship hours after working plumbing shift

Cameron Menzies went from a shift working as a plumber to winning his first round match at the World Darts Championship.

Menzies, who is a plumber by trade, had to work a half-shift before facing Austrian Rusty-Jake Rodriguez at Alexandra Palace.

On Friday he changed a waste basin, fixed a burst water main and repaired a kitchen sink before winning 3-0 to secure his place in the second round.

The Scottish darts player will face Dave Chisnall on Saturday afternoon.

"I never thought this would happen. I was really panicky today," he said.

"I was working but it kind of chilled me out, it made me realise that darts is a hobby and a very lucky one, too.

"I changed the waste in a basin, I couldn't get the pedestal out because it was concreted in. Then I did an emergency which was a burst water main and I fixed it, then I went to a tenant's house to fix a bath and she wouldn't let me in.

"Then I went to another job to fix a kitchen sink, so my job is maintenance-wise. Basically, it is burst pipes and blocked drains, it's not pretty."

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He added: "I was so nervous, I knew that game meant a lot.

"What happens now is a bonus but winning that game meant the world to me.

"Going to work chilled me out. It made me realise that it is not the be-all and end-all. I am a worker.

"I would like to be in a situation where I can give up my job and do this full-time, but I have a long way to go."

Menzies' girlfriend, Fallon Sherrock, will play her first round match on Sunday night.

While Michael Smith began his defence of his 2023 title on Friday night, holding off world number 66 Kevin Doets, to go on and win 3-2.

2010 finalist Simon Whitlock won a final-leg decider to see off Paolo Nebrida, claiming a 3-2 win to set up a second-round match with Gary Anderson.