Beau Greaves captured her third Women’s World Matchplay crown in dramatic fashion, edging out Fallon Sherrock 6‑5 in a final that went down to the very last leg at Blackpool’s historic Winter Gardens. The match was a showcase of composure, precision and sheer willpower, with Greaves ultimately prevailing after a series of high‑scoring exchanges and clutch finishes. The contest began with Sherrock taking an early lead, breaking Greaves’ throw in the third leg and establishing a brief advantage. However, Greaves responded instantly, leveling the score at 2‑2 and then delivering a spectacular 120 checkout on a 12‑dart leg to seize the momentum.
From that point onward, the two competitors traded blows, producing a tightly contested, back‑and‑forth battle that kept the audience on the edge of their seats. The eighth leg proved pivotal.
Greaves, showing nerves of steel, hit double 2 to claim a crucial break of throw, narrowing the gap to just one leg away from the championship. Sherrock, undeterred, fought back with a series of impressive scores that left her on 36 after only nine darts. She then executed an 11‑dart break of throw, followed by a polished 70 checkout on double 16, forcing the match into a decisive final leg. In the ultimate showdown, Greaves displayed her best darts under pressure.
She opened with a perfect 180, then followed it with a silky 145, leaving herself on 56. With a calm hand, she finished on double 10, sealing the title and sending the Winter Gardens crowd into jubilation.
The victory not only marked Greaves’ third Matchplay triumph—matching her own successes in 2023 and 2024—but also underscored her growing dominance in women’s darts. Reflecting on the win, Greaves told Sky Sports, “I’m not one to celebrate extravagantly, but there was a huge sense of relief at the end. Fallon is a fantastic competitor and an even better player.
I knew I had to stay focused, and hitting that final dart was an outpouring of relief.” Her humility and respect for her opponent shone through, even as she basked in the achievement. The final was billed as a clash between the two most successful female darts players of the era, and it lived up to the hype.
Sherrock’s early brilliance, highlighted by a bright start and a series of high‑scoring visits, kept the match evenly poised. Yet Greaves’ consistency, highlighted by her ability to deliver under pressure—especially that decisive 180 followed by a 145—proved decisive. Beyond the final, Greaves’ journey to the championship was equally compelling. In the quarter‑finals she faced Gemma Hayter, a match that tested her resilience.
After a slow start that saw Hayter level the game at 2‑2 with a break of throw, Greaves found herself needing a big finish. She responded with a massive 104 checkout, clinching a 5‑4 victory 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 it up with a 144, establishing an early rhythm that she never relinquished. Meanwhile, Sherrock demonstrated her own form, dispatching Deta Hedman 5‑0 in the quarter‑finals with two consecutive 13‑dart legs, leaving her opponent with no chance to recover.
Other notable performances in the tournament included Lisa Ashton’s 5‑2 win over Welsh No. 1 Rhian O’Sullivan, highlighted by a 120 checkout, and Vicky Pruim’s gritty comeback against Hayter, where she overturned a 4‑2 deficit to win in a last‑leg shootout.
Greaves’ triumph adds to an already remarkable year for the Lancashire Rose. Earlier in the season she became the first woman to win a Professional Darts Corporation 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.
Her continued success is reshaping perceptions of women’s darts and inspiring a new generation of players. Sherrock, meanwhile, faced the disappointment of finishing runner‑up for the third consecutive year, having lost to Greaves in both 2024 and 2026 and to Ashton in 2025.
Despite the loss, she remained gracious, acknowledging the high level of competition and the honor of competing at the sport’s pinnacle. In the broader context of the 2026 Betfred World Matchplay, the spotlight now shifts to the men’s final, where defending champion Luke Littler will meet Gerwyn Price for the coveted Phil Taylor Trophy.
Fans can catch all the action on Sky Sports or stream via NOW, ensuring that the excitement of darts continues to reach audiences worldwide. Greaves summed up her feelings about the sport succinctly: “I love darts. It’s a huge part of my life, and I’m addicted to the competition. My goal is simply to keep improving and to keep supporting the women’s game.” Her words capture the passion and dedication that have propelled her to the top of the women’s circuit, and they hint at even greater achievements on the horizon.
Overall, the 2026 Women’s World Matchplay delivered everything fans could hope for: high‑quality darts, dramatic finishes, and a historic third title for Beau Greaves, cementing her status as one of the sport’s modern greats.