THE schedule of play for the 2014 BetVictor World Matchplay has been confirmed, with world number one Michael van Gerwen and 2007 champion James Wade both in action on the opening night at the Winter Gardens on Saturday July 19.

PHIL TAYLOR will begin his bid to win a 15th BetVictor World Matchplay title against Darren Webster at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool next month, while top seed Michael van Gerwen takes on Steve Beaton in their first round clash.

THE field for the BetVictor World Matchplay has been confirmed, following the completion of the Gibraltar Darts Trophy.

JAMES WADE ended a three-year wait for a tournament victory as he claimed an emotional win in the Gibraltar Darts Trophy on Sunday night, defeating Steve Beaton 6-4 in the final.

ADRIAN LEWIS laid down the gauntlet to his rivals in the Gibraltar Darts Trophy with a stunning whitewash of Robert Thornton, as he was joined by rivals James Wade, Gary Anderson and Simon Whitlock in the quarter-finals.

PHIL TAYLOR'S hopes of retaining the Gibraltar Darts Trophy title were ended in the second round of the £100,000 European Tour event on Saturday, as Michael van Gerwen also crashed out at the Victoria Stadium.

DYSON PARODY powered into the Gibraltar Darts Trophy's second round with a superb victory over Henry Zapata, as big guns James Wade, Wes Newton, Kevin Painter and Michael Smith also enjoyed first round wins.

VINCENT VAN DER VOORT was amongst the European Qualifiers for the Gibraltar Darts Trophy on Thursday night.

WES NEWTON and Richie Burnett will clash in a tasty first round tie at the Gibraltar Darts Trophy on Friday, while Michael van Gerwen has recovered from an ankle injury to take his place in the European Tour event in Gibraltar.

THE entries for the year's final two European Tour events, to be held in Germany in September, have been confirmed ahead of a UK Qualifier double-header which will take place on July 4.