Darts: Taylor finds form to see off Laursen

PHIL TAYLOR eased his way into the third round of the PDC World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace as he recorded a comfortable straight-sets victory over Denmark's Per Laursen.

There had been those who had been less than impressed with Taylor's first-round victory over Gary Mawson, but the 15-time world champion was more like his old self as an average of 102.09 saw him brush aside Laursen 4-0.

Mark Hylton held his nerve to come through a tense clash with former world No.?1 Colin Lloyd 4-2. Adrian Lewis was a comfortable 4-1 victor over Mark Dudbridge, despite a couple of late jitters.

No.?16 seed Paul Nicholson endured a horror show on the doubles as he was dumped out 4-2 to qualifier Peter Wright during the afternoon session. And Scotland's Robert Thornton benefited, 4-0, when 2007 semi-finalist Andy Hamilton also suffered double woes.

Mark Webster is also through after his 4-0 win over eighth seed Ronnie Baxter, continuing his impressive recent form as he averaged 97 and claimed a checkout of 167 to set up a third round tie with Hylton.