Lazarenko playing the pain game

Cliff Lazarenko admitted he has been playing through the pain barrier to compete in the Betfred.com League of Legends.

‘Big Cliff’ came within one dart of securing a draw in his opening encounter against former World Champion Keith Deller in front of a packed crowd at the Circus Tavern in Essex.

But after eventually succumbing to a 7-5 defeat, Lazarenko admitted he was not downhearted having battled with a knee injury in order to stand on the oche.

He told setantasports.com: "Although I lost 7-5 I am quite pleased because I have struggled a bit healthwise. I have had a dodgy knee and I was pleased to come out 7-5 down, because Keith wanted it.

"Anyone who watched that on Setanta would have seen that I came back from two down, I didn’t know what I was going to do. I needed to kick back in real quick.

"I got back into the game. I should have taken control of the 11th leg, but Keith stole it. I had two clear darts to take the 12th leg. I had been finishing well and I thought if I hit this, I’ll get a draw and that would have been a fair result.

"I am not that gutted because I think I have got enough legs in the bag. It was not a 7-1 or 7-2, it was a close 7-5 and, probably I should have made it 6-6, but it didn’t happen."

And after a thrilling opening night of darts, ^Big Cliff^ was amazed at the enthusiasm displayed by the raucous Essex crowd.

"It comes down to the public choice and it amazes me that dart fans are so fanatical.

"We weren’t sure whether to come here, as this has been the home of darts for many years, but the people here have given us all their support and it was a great opening night," he added.

Story By: Setanta Sports