John Walton sent defending champion Mark Webster crashing out of the Lakeside after a 4-0 thrashing.
Welshman's reign ends with heavy defeat, Adams moves into last eight
John Walton sent defending champion Mark Webster crashing out of the Lakeside World Championships after a 4-0 thrashing, while Martin Adams also made it into the quarter-finals.
Walton was a Lakeside champion in 2001, but has been struggling of late and was not expected to get beyond the defending champion in their second round clash.
However, the Yorkshireman was right back to his very best as he took apart the left-handed Welshman, who was nowhere near his best on the night.
Although the second seed failed to turn up, 'John Boy' was in sparkling form, especially on doubles, and he fully deserved his place in the last eight.
The finish summed up Walton's form, as he nailed a 136 outshot on the Bull to set-up a last eight showdown with Ted Hankey.
Adams survives
Adams negotiated another stern test, this time against Northern Irishman Daryl Gurney, with a tough 4-2 victory to earn his last eight place.
Much like his first round clash Adams was pushed all the way, with Gurney hitting back from 2-0 down to level at 2-2 thanks to more double trouble for Wolfie.
The England skipper moved back ahead with a 101 checkout, and then came from two legs back to claim the sixth set and a place in the quarters.
"I would like to have won 4-0 but Daryl threw some very good darts and perhaps it is a case that these close matches wear me down because I am getting older and have lapses in concentration," said Adams.
"Daryl is a great player and has a big future in the game."
Count on Ted
Another former champion made it through to the quarter-finals as 2000 champion Ted Hankey beat Ross Montgomery 4-1.
'The Count' had few problems against the Scotsman, and in the end had too much in both scoring and doubles as he powered into the last eight, where he will face the in-form Walton.
Sixth seed Gary Robson will hope to cure his jitters when he faces Adams in the quarters, after getting the better of Martin Atkins with a 4-2 win.
'Big Robbo' was 3-0 in front before letting Atkins back into the match at 3-2, but eventually the fightback from the 'Assasin' was killed off by Robson.
