Darts: Taylor stays on track
He meets Colin Osborne in the second round after finding an extra gear last night to beat 1996 BDO world champion Steve Beaton 10-6.
Beaton was expected to be overwhelmed by Taylor, but was hard to shrug off until the 13-time world champion from Bradwell pulled away.
He got a break of throw in the 11th leg to move 7-4 clear and that proved decisive.
Taylor said: “Steve missed a few doubles and let me in. It was a fantastic game and I will need to be at my best tonight. I've practised with Colin and know that he's capable of hitting 11 darters. I've got to come out with all guns blazing.”
Beaton made the better start last night – hitting back-to-back 180s – but Taylor went on to snatch it against the throw.
Beaton refused to buckle and pulled out finishes of 152 and 121 to stay in touch before 'The Power' got the crucial break in the 11th leg.
Cross Heath's Adrian Lewis is out after a 10-8 defeat against Kevin McDine.
Lewis looked on course for the second round when he opened up a 4-1 lead, having had the first break of throw in the fourth leg.
McDine hauled it back to 4-4 and the next four legs went with the throw to leave the scores at 6-6.
McDine broke in the 13th leg –taking out 121 after hitting a 180 – and Lewis broke straight back to level.
The next two legs also went against the throw and then McDine got the crucial break in the 17th leg before taking out 74 to win the match.
Willenhall-based Chris Mason crashed out 10-3 to world champion John Part.
TV: Sky Sports 1, 7pm.
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