Lisa Ashton and Fallon Sherrock each walked away with a trophy from the back-to-back PDC Women’s Series events held on Saturday, reinforcing their places as the second and third‑ranked players on the year’s leaderboard. The double‑header unfolded at the Mattioli Arena in Leicester, where both competitors showcased why they are among the sport's elite. Event 17 saw veteran English darts star Lisa Ashton dominate from the outset.
She breezed through the opening round, posting three consecutive whitewash wins that left her opponents without a single leg. In the round of 16 she met Lauren Hall and, after a tight contest, dropped only one leg before advancing to the quarter‑finals. There she faced Grace Ferridge, a rising talent from Lancaster, and dispatched her 5-1 with a display of clinical finishing. The semi‑final proved a sterner test when Ashton met Gemma Hayter; the match went the distance, but Ashton edged it in a decisive final leg, securing her place in the final.
In the championship match Ashton faced Lauryn Salter, the 2025 Women’s World Matchplay champion. Salter, who had already impressed by reaching the semi‑finals of Event 12 earlier in the season, entered the final with momentum after a solid run that included victories over Emma Pearce and Jade Gofford. However, Ashton was in imperious form, delivering a flawless 5-0 performance that not only earned her a third Women’s Series title of 2026 but also propelled Salter to a career‑best 16th place in the series rankings.
Salter’s achievement was noteworthy; despite the loss she became the first player to reach a Women’s Series final after previously only making semi‑final appearances. The following day, Event 18 offered a dramatic reversal of fortunes. Fallon Sherrock, who had not claimed a Women’s Series crown in more than sixteen months, entered the tournament with renewed determination.
After a dominant opening round in which she dropped just a single leg against Hollie McKain, Sherrock continued her streak by beating Julie Whitehouse with the same level of efficiency. In the quarter‑finals she faced Jody Hancock, posting a respectable 93 average en route to a comfortable victory, and then dispatched Leanne Topper to secure a place among the last eight competitors. Sherrock’s momentum did not wane. She routed Aoife McCormack 5-0 in the next round and then faced Gemma Hayter in a tightly contested quarter‑final, emerging victorious 5-3.
This win set up a rematch of the July Women’s World Matchplay semi‑final, pitting Sherrock against her long‑time rival Lisa Ashton. In a match that echoed their previous encounter, Sherrock produced a flawless 5-0 performance, denying Ashton a second title on the same day and claiming her first Women’s Series victory of the year. The final standings after both events left Beau Greaves, who was absent from Saturday’s action, firmly atop the Women’s Series leaderboard. Ashton and Sherrock solidified their positions as second and third respectively, narrowing the gap to Greaves and keeping the race for the top spot alive.
The importance of these rankings cannot be overstated: the three highest‑placed players at the end of the series will earn spots in the 2026/27 Paddy Power World Darts Championship, while the series leader also secures a place at the 2026 Mr Vegas Grand Slam of Darts. For fans seeking to follow the competition, the PDC has provided live streams via the NOW platform, offering contract‑free access to all matches. Additionally, highlights and full‑length replays are available on Sky Sports, and the "Love the Darts" podcast provides in‑depth analysis and player interviews. Looking ahead, the Women’s Series will continue to deliver high‑stakes drama as players vie for the coveted qualification spots.
With Greaves expected to return, the battle for the top three positions promises to intensify, and both Ashton and Sherrock will be eager to maintain their recent form. Their performances this weekend underline the depth of talent in women’s darts and set the stage for an exciting second half of the 2026 season. Event 17 – Quarter‑Finals: • Lauryn Salter 5‑2 Emma Pearce • Jade Gofford 5‑2 Sue Lowther • Lisa Ashton 5‑1 Grace Ferridge • Gemma Hayter 5‑3 Aileen de Graaf Semi‑Finals: • Lauryn Salter 5‑4 Jade Gofford • Lisa Ashton 5‑4 Gemma Hayter Final: • Lisa Ashton 5‑0 Lauryn Salter Event 18 – Quarter‑Finals: • Karolina Ratajska 5‑2 Tracey Dean • Lisa Ashton 5‑1 Trina Gulliver • Gemma Hayter 5‑1 Kirsty Hutchinson • Fallon Sherrock 5‑0 Aoife McCormack Semi‑Finals: • Lisa Ashton 5‑3 Karolina Ratajska • Fallon Sherrock 5‑3 Gemma Hayter Final: • Fallon Sherrock 5‑0 Lisa Ashton These results not only reflect individual brilliance but also highlight the growing competitiveness of the Women’s Series, which continues to attract new talent and provide a platform for seasoned professionals to showcase their skill.
The upcoming weeks will determine which three players will earn the coveted World Championship berths and whether Greaves can reclaim her dominant position after a brief hiatus.