MATTHEW STEVENS booked a second round berth at the Coral UK Championship as snooker's high profile players continue to enjoy a serene passage at the York Barbican.

The Welshman, who won the UK at York in 2003, joined John Higgins in the last 64 on the second day of the potting festival thanks to a 6-2 victory over Allan Taylor.

Martin Gould is also through, getting past Lee Page 6-4 and Xiao Gudoong was the eye-catching performer of the morning session - breaks of 49, 72, 76 and 131 crowning a 6-1 victory over Ian Glover.

In the sports hall, Anthony McGill saw off Michael Georgiou 6-4, Jamie Cope was a 6-2 winner over John Astley, Ben Woollaston beat Michael Wasley 6-4 and Gerard Greene reached the second round with a 6-2 success over Vinnie Calabrese.