Taylor survives a scare

Phil Taylor: Claimed the final two legs to beat King 10-8 on Monday

Phil 'The Power' Taylor, Andy Hamilton, Ian White and Mark Webster all advanced to the second round of the World Matchplay in Blackpool.

Taylor, a 12-time champion in the event, was given a massive scare by Mervyn King before securing a 10-8 win, while things were more comfortable for Hamilton, White and Webster.

Hamilton ran out a 10-7 winner over Brendan Dolan, White brushed aside Vincent van der Voort 10-5 and then Webster closed out the night with a 10-6 triumph over Colin Lloyd.

Reigning champion Taylor enjoyed a tight struggle for much of the game, sharing the opening ten legs before establishing a 7-5 cushion - only for King to hit back and level at eight apiece.

King - who hit eight 180s in the game - crucially missed three darts to take the lead as Taylor edged 9-8 up, and he went on to seal the win in the next leg on double top.

Nervous

"I was nervous tonight to be honest but I got the job done and I'm through," said Taylor.

Hamilton - a semi-finalist in Blackpool last year - was never able to shake off Northern Irishman Dolan in a tight contest, but after taking an early 3-1 lead held on to his advantage to progress.

Stoke ace White, one of the leading ProTour Order of Merit qualifiers for the £400,000 tournament, showed few nerves in an impressive first appearance on the Winter Gardens stage to secure his plass in the last 16.

He could now meet Taylor - who took victory when the pair met in the 1997 News of the World championship final - in the second round on Thursday evening, and admitted: "It's a brilliant victory for me."

In the final match of the night Webster took six of the first nine legs to set up a second round clash against Hamilton.