The latest weekend of the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) Women’s Series delivered a double dose of excitement at Leicester's Mattioli Arena, where two seasoned competitors each walked away with a title. In the back-to-back events, Lisa Ashton and Fallon Sherrock each claimed a championship, cementing their places as the second‑ and third‑ranked players on the season’s leaderboard, while the series leader, Beau Greaves, was not present on the day. Event 17 opened with Lisa Ashton in blistering form.
The veteran from Lancaster advanced through the round of 16 without dropping a single leg, dispatching three opponents with clean‑sheet victories that left spectators impressed by her precision and composure. In the quarter‑finals she met Lauren Hall, a match that proved a touch tighter; Ashton surrendered only one leg before prevailing and moving on to the semi‑finals. In the semi‑final, Ashton faced Grace Ferridge, whom she over‑powered 5‑1.
The real test arrived when she was pitted against Gemma Hayter. The encounter stretched to the deciding leg, with Ashton edging out her opponent by the narrowest of margins to secure a place in the final. There, she met Lauryn Salter, a rising talent who had already made history by reaching her first Women’s Series final after a strong showing at Event 12 earlier in the year. Salter’s path to the final had included victories over Emma Pearce and Jade Gofford, lifts that propelled her to 16th in the rankings.
The championship match showcased Ashton’s dominance. She swept Salter 5‑0, a result that not only handed Ashton her third Women’s Series title of the 2026 season but also underscored her status as a formidable contender for the year‑end qualification spots.
Salter, despite the loss, earned valuable ranking points and the confidence that comes from a breakthrough performance on a major stage. While Ashton celebrated her triumph, the second event of the day, Event 18, saw Fallon Sherrock seize the spotlight.
Sherrock entered the tournament with a clear objective: to halt Ashton’s bid for a double‑day victory. She began her campaign by cruising through the early rounds, dropping only a single leg in matches against Hollie McKain and Julie Whitehouse.
In the quarter‑finals she faced Jody Hancock, posting an impressive 93 average and winning comfortably. The semi‑final brought a clash with Leanne Topper, which Sherrock negotiated with ease, followed by a 5‑0 demolition of Aoife McCormack in the next round. Her most challenging test came in the semi‑final against Gemma Hayter, a familiar opponent from the earlier event. Sherrock survived a tighter 5‑3 contest, demonstrating resilience and strategic acumen.
The final was a repeat of the July Women’s World Matchplay semi‑final, pitting Sherrock against Ashton once more. This time the outcome was decisive: Sherrock blanked Ashton 5‑0, capturing her first Women’s Series title of the year and her first on the circuit in more than 16 months. The victory not only added a coveted trophy to her cabinet but also propelled her into second place on the series leaderboard, directly behind Greaves. Beau Greaves, who missed Saturday’s action, retained her lead at the top of the rankings, ensuring that the top three positions remain occupied by Greaves, Ashton, and Sherrock.
The stakes are high, as the three highest‑ranked players at the conclusion of the Women’s Series will earn spots in the 2026/27 Paddy Power World Darts Championship, with the series leader also securing a place in the 2026 Mr Vegas Grand Slam of Darts. Beyond the immediate results, the weekend highlighted the depth and growing competitiveness of women’s darts.
Players such as Lauryn Salter are breaking new ground, while seasoned veterans like Ashton continue to demonstrate why they remain at the forefront of the sport. The Mattioli Arena proved an ideal venue, offering a vibrant atmosphere that amplified the drama of each leg and showcased the skill of the participants.
For fans unable to attend in person, the matches were streamed via the NOW platform, offering a contract‑free viewing experience. The PDC also encourages viewers to follow live coverage on Sky Sports, where additional highlights, analysis, and the popular "Love the Darts" podcast provide further insight into the tournament’s narratives. Looking ahead, the Women’s Series will continue to unfold over the coming weeks, with each event offering crucial points for players aiming to secure their places at the world championship level.
As the season progresses, the rivalry between Greaves, Ashton, and Sherrock is expected to intensify, promising more thrilling encounters and the potential for new champions to emerge. In summary, Saturday’s double‑header delivered a compelling mix of dominant performances, emerging talent, and high‑stakes competition. Lisa Ashton’s third title of the year and Fallon Sherrock’s emphatic return to the winner’s circle underscore the vibrant future of women’s darts, while the leaderboard remains tightly contested as the race for the coveted World Championship slots heats up.