Josh Rock hammers Jitse van der Wal as Ryan Joyce and Gian van Veen also move through

Ryan Joyce, Gian van Veen and Josh Rock have become the first three names to secure progression to round 3 at the 2024 Flanders Darts Trophy in Antwerp this Saturday afternoon.

In a thrilling opening to the session, Joyce narrowly prevailed 6-5 over Alan Soutar in nail-biting encounter to kick off the afternoon. Despite averaging just 93.16 to Soutar's 94.98 and only hitting one maximum compared to his opponent's five, Joyce's finishing was spectacular with the Englishman hitting six out of nine darts at double including two big ton-plus checkouts, peaking with a sensational 161.

Gian van Veen is through also to the final day of action. He took down Robert Owen who impressed on the opening day as he did last time on the European Tour. But 'GVV the Giant' was too good 6-3.

He remains unbeaten against Owen who has been a familiar foe for him including last week when he also accounted for the Welshman.

Owen initially was in the ascendancy going 3-1 up but watched as Van Veen surged and got back into the contest with five straight legs to seal the win as he was once again defeated by the prodigious Dutch talent. It was a 92 average and two 180's as well as a high checkout of 128 for Van Veen who again reaches the final day.

As did Josh Rock. He wiped the floor with Jitse van der Wal averaging nearly 104 and hitting four 180's in a comprehensive whitewash win 6-0. He hit four 180's and handed the Dutchman only one dart at a double.

Van der Wal made a dream debut yesterday to European Tour life. But this was more of a back down to earth with a bang kind of moment as Rock hit 6/14 on the outer ring and produced one of the best displays of the weekend so far.