Beau Greaves captured her third Women's World Matchplay crown in a dramatic 6-5, last‑leg showdown against Fallon Sherrock at Blackpool's historic Winter Gardens. The encounter, which saw Sherrock push the match to the brink, was ultimately decided when Greaves delivered a crucial 180 and followed it with a superb 145, leaving her with 56 points to claim the trophy. She calmly finished on double 10, sealing the victory and cementing her place in the tournament's history. This triumph adds to Greaves' impressive back‑to‑back wins in the 2023 and 2024 editions of the event.
The two had already met in the 2024 final, where Greaves prevailed 6-3, and this latest win reinforces her dominance over Sherrock, who has now finished runner‑up for three consecutive years – losing to Greaves in 2024 and 2026 and to Lisa Ashton in 2025. Greaves' season has been nothing short of groundbreaking. Earlier in the year she became the first woman to capture a Pro Tour title at Players Championship 11, recorded a nine‑dart finish on the main Tour, and broke new ground as the first female qualifier for the European Tour. Her achievements have not only elevated her own profile but have also shone a brighter light on women's darts as a whole.
Reflecting on the final, Greaves told Sky Sports, "I'm not one to celebrate much, but there was a huge sense of relief at the end. Fallon is a fantastic competitor and an even better darts player.
I knew I had to play well, and hitting that final dart was a massive release of tension." She added, "I'm just thrilled to win. Playing the women's circuit feels different now that I regularly compete against the men. I'm proud to bring this win home." Sherrock, for her part, remained gracious despite the loss. She praised Greaves' composure, noting that the pressure of a deciding leg is a privilege that pushes both players to their best.
"I was nervous, but that's part of the sport. It’s an honour to be in these moments," she said. The final itself lived up to the hype, delivering a tightly contested, high‑quality spectacle. Sherrock seized an early advantage by breaking serve in the third leg, but Greaves responded instantly, leveling the score at 2‑2.
She then produced a stunning 120 checkout in a 12‑dart leg to take the lead. The match continued as a seesaw battle, with both players exchanging breaks and holding their throws. A pivotal eighth leg saw Greaves hit double two, securing a vital break and moving within a single leg of the title.
Sherrock, however, fought back fiercely. After an impressive nine‑dart visit that left her on 36, she claimed an 11‑dart break of throw and followed it with a classy 70 checkout on double 16, forcing a deciding leg. In the final leg, Greaves displayed why she is the tournament's most successful competitor.
She opened with a perfect 180, then followed with a silky 145, leaving herself on 56. A calm double ten sealed the match, prompting a roar from the Winter Gardens crowd. Greaves' path to the final was equally dramatic. In the quarter‑finals she edged past Gemma Hayter 5‑4 after a nerve‑wracking exchange.
Hayter had taken an early lead, leveling at 2‑2 with a break of throw and later delivering an 83 checkout on double 16 to force a last‑leg decider. Greaves, under pressure, responded with a massive 104 checkout to clinch her spot in the semi‑finals. The semi‑final saw Greaves dominate Kirsi Viinikainen 5‑1, opening with a 148 and a 144 checkout to set the tone.
Meanwhile, Sherrock continued her strong run, dispatching Lisa Ashton 5‑1 in the other semi‑final, echoing her 2025 final performance. Other notable matches included Sherrock’s 5‑0 whitewash of Deta Hedman in the quarter‑finals, where two consecutive 13‑dart legs left Hedman with no chance to answer. Hayter also displayed resilience, coming from 4‑2 down to beat Vicky Pruim in a last‑leg shootout, sealing the win with a clutch 77 checkout.
In the women's draw, Ashton – known as the "Lancashire Rose" – opened with a 5‑2 victory over Welsh No.1 Rhian O'Sullivan, highlighted by a 120 checkout before clinching the match on her ninth dart. The 2026 Betfred World Matchplay will continue at the iconic 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 via NOW for live coverage.
Greaves' third Matchplay title not only underscores her personal excellence but also marks a significant milestone for women's darts, demonstrating the growing competitiveness and visibility of the sport. Her achievements inspire a new generation of players, and her continued success suggests that she will remain a central figure in the game for years to come.