MICHAEL VAN GERWEN and Simon Whitlock overcame some dodgy doubling to win their places in the European Darts Trophy third round with victories over Ross Smith and Steve West on Saturday, as Dave Chisnall was knocked out by rookie Roxy-James Rodriguez.

RAYMOND VAN BARNEVELD narrowly escaped a gritty fightback from Michael Mansell before edging through to the second round of the European Darts Trophy, but James Wade and Stephen Bunting were knocked out in Leipzig.

THE draw and schedule of play for the European Darts Trophy are now available, following the completion of Thursday's European and Host Nation Qualifiers.

THE PDC's biggest-ever year will see over 150 days of action in 2015, with the new PDC calendar including new venues in Germany and the Netherlands on an expanded European Tour.

RAYMOND VAN BARNEVELD is facing a fight to keep his place inside darts' elite top 16 ahead of next month's partypoker.com World Grand Prix.

THE field for the partypoker.com World Grand Prix will be confirmed following this weekend's European Darts Trophy in Germany, with a host of players having plenty to play for in Leipzig.

THE final European Tour event of 2014 takes place this weekend, with the European Darts Trophy set to see 48 players compete in the first PDC event in Leipzig, Germany.

FORMER European super-bantamweight champion Spencer Oliver was the winner at the PDC's charity fishing day for Haven House on Friday.

MICHAEL VAN GERWEN defeated Michael Smith to win the 14th Players Championship event of the year in Crawley.

GARY ANDERSON won his sixth PDC ProTour title of 2014 at Saturday's Players Championship 13 in Crawley.