Beau Greaves clinched her third Women's World Matchplay crown in a nail‑biting 6‑5 last‑leg triumph over Fallon Sherrock at Blackpool's historic Winter Gardens. The final was a showcase of composure and brilliance, with Greaves delivering a decisive 180 before following it up with a stunning 145 checkout, leaving herself on 56.
She then calmly hit double 10 to seal the victory and add another trophy to her growing collection. This win marks Greaves' third Matchplay title, having previously triumphed in 2023 and 2024.
In the 2024 final she also faced Sherrock, emerging victorious with a 6‑3 scoreline. The 2026 showdown reinforced Greaves' dominance, while Sherrock endured her third consecutive runner‑up finish at the event, having been bested by Greaves in 2024 and 2026 and by Lisa Ashton in 2025. Greaves reflected on the pressure of the moment, telling Sky Sports, "I'm not one to celebrate, 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 an outpouring of relief." She added, "I'm just thrilled to win. Playing the women's circuit feels different now that I compete regularly against the men.
I'm chuffed to get the win." The victory comes on the back of an extraordinary year for the "Beau and Arrow" partnership. Earlier in the season Greaves became the first woman to capture a Pro Tour event, winning Players Championship 11. She also recorded a nine‑dart finish on the Tour and broke new ground by becoming the first female qualifier for the European Tour. These milestones underline her status as a trailblazer for women in professional darts.
The final itself lived up to the hype surrounding a clash between two of the sport's most successful female players. Sherrock started brightly, breaking Greaves' throw in the third leg and then, after Greaves leveled the match at 2‑2, Sherrock surged ahead with a spectacular 120 checkout achieved in just 12 darts.
The momentum swung back and forth, creating a gripping, see‑saw battle. In the pivotal eighth leg, Greaves seized a crucial break of throw by hitting double two, narrowing the gap to a single leg away from the title. Sherrock responded with a display of high scoring, reaching 36 in nine darts and then taking an 11‑dart break of throw, followed by a smooth 70 checkout on double 16 to force a deciding leg. When the match reached its climax, Greaves produced her finest darts.
She began the final leg with a maximum 180, then followed with a silky 145 checkout, leaving herself on 56. A calm double 10 finished the leg and secured the championship for Greaves.
Greaves' path to the final was anything but easy. In the quarter‑finals she edged past Gemma Hayter 5‑4 after a tense battle. Hayter had taken an early lead, leveling the match at 2‑2 with a break of throw and later securing another break with an 83 checkout on double 16, pushing the encounter to a deciding leg. Greaves, however, delivered a massive 104 checkout at the crucial moment to book her place in the semi‑finals.
The semi‑final saw Greaves dominate Kirsi Viinikainen 5‑1, opening with a 148 checkout and then a 144, setting the tone for a swift victory. Meanwhile, Sherrock continued her strong run, dispatching Deta Hedman 5‑0 in the quarters with two consecutive 13‑dart legs, leaving Hedman with no chance to respond. In the other half of the draw, Lisa Ashton’s title defence ended when she fell to Sherrock 5‑1, mirroring the 2025 final but this time with Sherrock in complete control.
Other notable matches included Hayter’s comeback from 4‑2 down to defeat Vicky Pruim in a last‑leg shootout, and Ashton’s 5‑2 win over Welsh No 1 Rhian O'Sullivan, highlighted by a 120 checkout that broke Sherrock’s throw before Ashton clinched the match with her ninth dart. Looking ahead, 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 darts and other top‑level sport.
Greaves summed up her feelings about the sport and her career, saying, "I love my life. I love playing darts.
I'm addicted to it in a way, and supporting the women's game is a massive part of that. My goal is simply to keep getting better and enjoy every moment on stage."