Lisa Ashton and Fallon Sherrock each captured a title during the double‑header of PDC Women’s Series Events 17 and 18 held on Saturday at Leicester’s Mattioli Arena, solidifying their positions as the second‑ and third‑ranked players on the season leaderboard. The venue buzzed with excitement as the two seasoned competitors demonstrated why they are among the sport’s elite, each winning a separate event and thereby reinforcing their standing behind series leader Beau Greaves, who was not present on the day. Event 17 saw Lisa Ashton dominate from the outset. She breezed through the opening round, delivering three consecutive whitewash victories that saw her advance to the last 16 without dropping a single leg.
In the round of 16, Ashton faced Lauren Hall and conceded only one leg before moving on to the quarter‑finals. Her consistency continued as she dispatched Grace Ferridge 5–1, showing a blend of clinical finishing and steady scoring. The semi‑final presented a sterner test against Gemma Hayter; the match went the distance, but Ashton edged it in a decisive final leg, demonstrating poise under pressure.
In the final, Ashton faced Lauryn Salter, a rising talent who had impressed throughout the tournament. Ashton’s experience shone through as she swept Salter 5–0, claiming her third Women’s Series title of the 2026 calendar year.
Salter, despite the loss, made history by reaching her first series final after a semi‑final appearance at Event 12 earlier in the season, and her victories over Emma Pearce and Jade Gofford propelled her to 16th place in the rankings. The following day, Event 18 delivered a different narrative.
Fallon Sherrock, who had not lifted a Women’s Series trophy for more than a year and a half, entered the competition with determination. She opened with convincing wins over Hollie McKain and Julie Whitehouse, losing only a single leg across both matches. In the quarter‑finals, Sherrock faced Jody Hancock, posting a solid 93 average and securing a comfortable victory.
Her momentum continued as she defeated Leanne Topper to reach the last eight, then blanked Aoife McCormack 5–0 in the quarter‑finals. The semi‑final saw Sherrock confront Gemma Hayter once again, this time emerging victorious 5–3 after a hard‑fought battle. The final was a repeat of the July Women’s World Matchplay semi‑final, pitting Sherrock against Ashton.
Sherrock replicated the earlier result, delivering a flawless 5–0 performance to claim her first Women’s Series title of 2026 and her first on the circuit since her breakthrough win over Greaves in 2021. The victory not only added a coveted trophy to Sherrock’s cabinet but also propelled her further up the rankings, solidifying her place as the third‑ranked player behind Ashton.
While Greaves was absent from the Saturday action, she retained her lead at the top of the Women’s Series leaderboard, ensuring that the top three spots remain contested among the strongest competitors. The significance of these positions extends beyond the series itself: the three highest‑placed players at the conclusion of the season will earn qualification for the 2026/27 Paddy Power World Darts Championship, while the series champion will also secure a berth at the 2026 Mr Vegas Grand Slam of Darts. The detailed results from the two events underline the depth of talent on the women’s circuit. Event 17 featured quarter‑final matches such as Lauryn Salter 5–2 Emma Pearce, Jade Gofford 5–2 Sue Lowther, Lisa Ashton 5–1 Grace Ferridge, and Gemma Hayter 5–3 Aileen de Graaf.
The semi‑finals saw Salter edge Gofford 5–4 and Ashton narrowly defeat Hayter 5–4 before Ashton completed a 5–0 final win over Salter. Event 18 showcased quarter‑finals including Karolina Ratajska 5–2 Tracey Dean, Lisa Ashton 5–1 Trina Gulliver, Gemma Hayter 5–1 Kirsty Hutchinson, and Fallon Sherrock 5–0 Aoife McCormack.
The semi‑finals produced an Ashton 5–3 victory over Ratajska and Sherrock 5–3 over Hayter, culminating in Sherrock’s 5–0 triumph over Ashton in the final. Beyond the immediate results, these tournaments highlight the growing competitiveness of women’s darts, with players like Salter breaking new ground by reaching her inaugural final and others such as Ashton and Sherrock reaffirming their status as seasoned veterans capable of delivering high‑quality, high‑pressure performances. The events also served as a showcase for emerging talent, with several younger competitors making deep runs and gaining valuable experience on the televised stage. Fans can continue to follow the series and catch live coverage through various platforms, including NOW for contract‑free streaming and Sky Sports for televised highlights.
The ongoing narrative of the Women’s Series promises further excitement as the season progresses toward its climax, with the coveted spots at the World Championship and Grand Slam at stake for the top performers.