Beau Greaves clinched her third Women’s World Matchplay crown after a nail‑biting 6‑5, last‑leg triumph over Fallon Sherrock at Blackpool’s iconic Winter Gardens. The final was a showcase of skill, composure and drama, with Greaves ultimately prevailing by hitting a decisive 180 followed by a flawless 145 checkout, leaving her on 56 and finishing on double 10 to seal the victory. The win adds another chapter to Greaves’ dominant run in the tournament, following her previous titles in 2023 and 2024. In fact, the two competitors had already met in the 2024 final, where Greaves emerged victorious with a 6‑3 scoreline.
This latest encounter reinforces Greaves’ status as the pre‑eminent force in women’s darts, while consigning Sherrock to a third consecutive runner‑up finish at the Matchplay – after falling to Greaves in 2024 and to Lisa Ashton in 2025. Reflecting on the match, Greaves told Sky Sports, “I’m not one to celebrate, but there was a huge sense of relief at the end.
Fallon is a fantastic player and a great person. I knew I had to stay focused, and when I hit that final dart it felt like a massive release.” Her humility was evident, yet the joy in her voice was unmistakable when she added, “I’m just thrilled to win.
Playing the women’s field feels different now that I’m competing regularly against the men. I’m proud to take the title.” The 2026 season has already been a landmark year for Greaves, who became the first woman to capture a Pro Tour event at Players Championship 11, recorded a nine‑dart finish on the Tour, and broke new ground as the first female qualifier for the European Tour. These achievements underline the rapid progression of women’s darts and Greaves’ role as a trailblazer.
The final itself lived up to the hype of a showdown between two of the sport’s most successful female players. Sherrock started strongly, breaking Greaves’ throw in the third leg and taking an early lead. Greaves responded immediately, leveling the match at 2‑2, and then produced a spectacular 120 checkout in a 12‑dart leg to regain the initiative.
From that point onward, the contest turned into a tightly contested, back‑and‑forth battle. The eighth leg proved pivotal. Greaves, under immense pressure, hit double two to break Sherlock’s throw and bring herself within a single leg of the championship.
Sherrock, however, refused to surrender. She displayed superb scoring, reaching 36 in just nine darts and then delivering an 11‑dart break of throw. A polished 70 checkout on double 16 forced a deciding leg, setting the stage for a dramatic climax.
In the final leg, Greaves produced her best darts of the night. She opened with a perfect 180, then followed with a silky 145, leaving herself on 56. A calm double ten secured the win, sending the Winter Gardens crowd into a roar and confirming Greaves’ third Matchplay title. Greaves’ journey to the final was far from easy.
In the quarter‑finals she edged past Gemma Hayter 5‑4 in a tense encounter that saw her fall behind early. Hayter capitalised on a break of throw to level the match at 2‑2 and later claimed an 83 checkout on double 16 to force a last‑leg decider.
Greaves answered with a massive 104 checkout, demonstrating her ability to thrive under pressure and booking her place in the semi‑finals. The semi‑final saw Greaves dominate Kirsi Viinikainen 5‑1, opening with a 148 checkout and following up with a 144, establishing early momentum that she never relinquished. Meanwhile, Sherrock dispatched Deta Hedman with a ruthless 5‑0 whitewash, including two consecutive 13‑dart legs that left Hedman with no chance to recover.
Elsewhere in the tournament, Lisa Ashton’s title defence ended when she fell to Sherrock, who secured a convincing 5‑1 victory and booked her third straight Matchplay final appearance. In the women’s quarter‑finals, Hayter rallied from a 4‑2 deficit to defeat Vicky Pruim in a last‑leg shoot‑out, sealing the win with a clutch 77 checkout. Ashton, known as the “Lancashire Rose,” began her campaign with a 5‑2 win over Welsh No 1 Rhian O’Sullivan, highlighted by a 120 checkout that broke Sherrock’s throw.
The 2026 Betfred World Matchplay continues at the Winter Gardens on Sunday night, featuring defending champion Luke Littler against Gerwyn Price for the coveted Phil Taylor Trophy. Fans can follow the action on Sky Sports or stream the coverage via NOW. Greaves summed up her feelings about the sport, saying, “I love my life, I love playing darts. I’m addicted to it in a way, and supporting the women’s game is huge for me.
My goal is simply to keep getting better.” Her words capture both the personal passion that drives her and the broader significance of her achievements for women’s darts worldwide.