Beau Greaves captured her third Women's World Matchplay crown in a thrilling 6-5, last‑leg showdown against Fallon Sherrock at Blackpool's iconic Winter Gardens. The match, which stretched to the very limit of the format, showcased both players at the peak of their abilities, but Greaves ultimately prevailed thanks to a decisive 180 and a flawless 145 checkout that left her needing just 56 to finish the game. She calmly hit double ten to seal the victory and add another milestone to an already impressive career. The final was a true test of nerves.
Sherrock surged ahead early, breaking Greaves' throw in the third leg and taking the lead. Greaves, however, responded immediately, leveling the score at 2-2 and then delivering a spectacular 120 checkout in a 12‑dart leg to swing momentum in her favour. From that point on, the contest became a tight, back‑and‑forth battle, with each player trading legs and creating numerous high‑pressure moments.
In the eighth leg, Greaves managed to break Sherrock's throw by hitting double two, putting her just one leg away from the title. Sherrock refused to concede, producing a series of brilliant scores that left her on 36 after only nine darts and then completing an 11‑dart break of throw. She followed that with an elegant 70 checkout on double sixteen, forcing a deciding leg that would determine the champion.
When the final leg arrived, Greaves demonstrated why she is considered one of the sport's brightest stars. She began with a maximum 180, then followed with a silky 145, leaving herself on 56.
With a single dart, she hit double ten, clinching the match and lifting the trophy for the third time in her career. This triumph builds on Greaves' dominant performances in the 2023 and 2024 editions of the tournament, where she also emerged victorious. It also adds to a remarkable year for the player, who earlier became the first woman to win a Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) Pro Tour event at Players Championship 11.
In that historic win, she also recorded a nine‑dart finish, the first ever by a woman on the PDC Tour, and secured qualification for the European Tour, further cementing her status as a trailblazer for women's darts. For Sherrock, the result marks a third consecutive runner‑up finish at the Women's Matchplay, having been bested by Greaves in 2024 and 2026 and by Lisa Ashton in 2025. Despite the disappointment, Sherrock praised her opponent, describing her as "a great lass and an even better darts player" and expressing relief at the final dart that secured Greaves' win. Greaves reflected on the match in an interview with Sky Sports, saying, "I'm not one to celebrate, but there was a huge sense of relief at the end.
Fallon is an excellent competitor, and I knew I had to play my best. Hitting that final dart was an outpouring of relief." She added that competing against the women's field feels different now that she regularly faces male opponents on the main tour, and she was simply "chuffed" to claim the victory. The final was billed as a clash between the two most successful women in the sport, and it lived up to the hype. After Sherrock's early lead, Greaves responded with a series of high‑scoring visits and precise checkouts, including a stunning 145 that set up the match‑winning double.
The atmosphere in the Winter Gardens was electric, with fans witnessing a masterclass in composure and skill from both athletes. Greaves' path to the final was itself a test of endurance. In the quarter‑finals she faced Gemma Hayter, surviving a tense 5‑4 battle that saw Hayter level the match at 2‑2 with a break of throw and later take a crucial 83 checkout on double sixteen. Greaves, however, produced a massive 104 checkout at a critical juncture, securing her place in the semi‑finals.
In the semi‑finals, Greaves dominated Kirsi Viinikainen 5‑1, opening with a 148 checkout followed by a 144, establishing control early and never looking back. Meanwhile, Sherrock dispatched Deta Hedman with a 5‑0 whitewash, delivering two consecutive 13‑dart legs that left her opponent with no chance to recover.
Other notable performances in the tournament included Lisa Ashton’s 5‑2 victory over Welsh No 1 Rhian O'Sullivan, highlighted by a 120 checkout, and Vicky Pruim’s narrow defeat to Hayter after a dramatic comeback from 4‑2 down, culminating in a clutch 77 checkout. The 2026 Betfred World Matchplay continues at the Winter Gardens on Sunday night, featuring defending champion Luke Littler against Gerwyn Price for the prestigious Phil Taylor Trophy.
Fans can follow all the action on Sky Sports or stream the coverage through NOW, ensuring that the excitement of darts remains accessible to a global audience. Greaves summed up her feelings about the sport and her career with heartfelt honesty: "I love my life, I love playing darts, and I can't get enough of it. I'm addicted in a way, and supporting the women's game is a massive part of that. My goal is simply to keep improving and play better every day." Her words underline a deep passion for darts and a commitment to pushing the boundaries for female players worldwide.