Mitchell relieved to move past Manley and his mind games: "That will probably give him another six exhibitions this year"

Scott Mitchell had to contend with not only Peter Manley but the usual dark arts as he prevailed in his opener at the World Seniors Darts Championship and 'Scotty Dog' confirmed the mind games started weeks ago.

"Did we all not know that was coming with Peter (Manley), he was calling me Scotty 15 dart at a Challenge Tour a few weeks ago. We've been friends forever so I knew that was coming," said Mitchell to Online Darts.

After Mitchell took the opening leg of the second set, there was more drama as confusion ensued over who was set to throw first in the second leg to which Paul Hinks had to explain to Manley that it wasn't his throw which 'Scotty Dog' discussed.

"I was trying to concentrate and doing my thing. I was going up there to win legs, I didn't realise we'd just done the first leg of the second set so Peter come and said you won the bull so I went over and said I won the bull as Peter told me. I think he knew, Peter is entertaining, that will probably give him another six exhibitions this year."

One of the favourites for this year's title, it isn't a tag that he revels in.

"I hate being the favourite. I love being the underdog which when you've had two years on the PDC, you're an underdog most weeks so it's easy to play on that. I understand why but people just haven't had the last four and a half hours in the practice room with Peter Manley. He's a very good mind games player and nearly got me there."