Gary Anderson and Cameron Menzies made a stunning debut as a pairing in Saturday's afternoon session at the World Cup of Darts, whitewashing Norway 8-0 to book their place in the quarter-finals. The Scottish duo produced a near-flawless performance, averaging 99 with a 66.7% checkout rate and a highest finish of 118. Menzies, who averaged 101 for most of the contest, set up 32 for Anderson early on, and the pair did not miss a dart at a double until they led 4-0. They broke for 5-0 with a 110 checkout and added further breaks to seal the emphatic victory, missing 124 but returning to take out 25 for the win.
Ireland also impressed as William O'Connor and Mickey Mansell swept past Poland's Krzysztof Ratajski and Sebastian Bialecki. O'Connor anchored from the front, surging 3-1 ahead with an 86 checkout and then hitting a 62 finish to lead 5-2 at the break. Poland fought back, with Ratajski taking out 112 to level at 5-5, but Ireland weathered the storm. O'Connor left 87 for Mansell, and after Ratajski missed 105, Mansell hit double nine to seal the win. A potential Republic of Ireland versus Northern Ireland clash could be on the cards if Northern Ireland win later.
Wales, without talisman Gerwyn Price, continued their winning ways as Jonny Clayton and Nick Kenny defeated the USA pairing of Stowe Buntz and Adam Sevada. Clayton led from the front, hitting a ton-plus checkout to put Wales 4-2 ahead, and later a brilliant 141 for a 7-5 lead. The USA pegged Wales back to 6-5 after breaks, but Clayton sealed the deal on 33 as the USA failed to muster 154. Latvia also progressed in dramatic fashion, winning 8-7 against France's Thullier and Tricole. Razma led the way, hitting back-to-back 110 checkouts to go 6-5 up, and after a tense decider, Razma readjusted on 36 to hit doubles on opposite sides of the board and claim victory.
