Lisa Ashton and Fallon Sherrock each walked away with a title at the PDC Women’s Series events 17 and 18, held on Saturday at the Mattioli Arena in Leicester. Their wins cemented Ashton in second place and Sherrock in third on the season’s leaderboard, while the top spot remained vacant after Beau Greaves missed the day. The Mattioli Arena was buzzing with double‑header action as the two tournaments unfolded back‑to‑back.
Ashton opened the day by storming through Event 17. She breezed past her first three opponents without dropping a leg, delivering three consecutive whitewash victories that saw her glide into the last 16.
In the round of 16 she faced Lauren Hall, conceding just a single leg before advancing to the quarter‑finals. In the quarter‑finals, the Lancaster‑based darts professional met Grace Ferridge.
Ashton displayed her clinical finishing, dispatching Ferridge 5‑1 to book a semi‑final berth. The semi‑final proved a tighter affair when she met Gemma Hayter. After a tense exchange that went right down to the deciding leg, Ashton edged out Hayter, securing her place in the final.
The final pitted Ashton against Lauryn Salter, the 2025 Women’s World Matchplay champion. Salter, who had already made history by reaching her first Women’s Series final after a semi‑final appearance at Event 12 earlier in the year, fought valiantly but could not match Ashton's rhythm. Ashton dominated the contest, winning 5‑0 and claiming her third Women’s Series title of the 2026 season.
The victory also propelled Salter up the rankings, moving her to 16th place after her impressive run. Later that same afternoon, Event 18 offered a chance for Fallon Sherrock to add a trophy to her cabinet. Sherrock began her campaign by dropping only one leg in her opening matches, defeating Hollie McKain and Julie Whitehouse with ease. In the quarter‑finals she faced Jody Hancock, posting a solid 93 average en route to a comfortable win.
The next round saw her overcome Leanne Topper, securing a spot in the last eight. Sherrock’s momentum continued as she routed Aoife McCormack 5‑0 in the quarter‑finals. In the semi‑final she met Gemma Hayter once again, this time prevailing 5‑3 after a hard‑fought battle.
The final was a repeat of the July Women’s World Matchplay semi‑final, with Ashton and Sherrock meeting for the second time that day. Sherrock reproduced the earlier result, delivering a flawless 5‑0 performance to claim her first Women’s Series title in more than 16 months. Both Ashton and Sherrock’s victories were achieved while Beau Greaves, the series leader, was absent from the Saturday schedule.
Greaves’s lead remains intact, leaving her at the summit of the Women’s Series rankings, with Ashton and Sherrock holding the second and third positions respectively. The stakes of the series extend beyond individual glory. The top three finishers in the final PDC Women’s Series standings will earn qualification for the 2026/27 Paddy Power World Darts Championship.
Additionally, the player who tops the rankings will secure a spot in the 2026 Mr Vegas Grand Slam of Darts, providing a clear pathway from the women’s circuit to the sport’s most prestigious events. For reference, the detailed results from the two events are as follows: 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 Event 17 – Semi‑Finals: - Lauryn Salter 5‑4 Jade Gofford - Lisa Ashton 5‑4 Gemma Hayter Event 17 – 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 Event 18 – Semi‑Finals: - Lisa Ashton 5‑3 Karolina Ratajska - Fallon Sherrock 5‑3 Gemma Hayter Event 18 – Final: - Fallon Sherrock 5‑0 Lisa Ashton These results underline the depth of talent on the women’s circuit and set the stage for a thrilling conclusion to the season as players vie for the coveted World Championship berths. Outside of the tournament narrative, darts fans can stay connected with the sport through various platforms.
Live streams are available via NOW, offering a contract‑free viewing experience, while Sky Sports continues to broadcast major darts events, including the upcoming World Grand Prix where world number one Luke Littler will defend his title. For those who enjoy audio content, the "Love the Darts" podcast provides analysis, interviews, and behind‑the‑scenes stories from the world of professional darts. In summary, Saturday’s double‑header delivered two distinct champions, highlighted the resilience of Ashton and Sherrock, and kept the race for the top three World Championship spots wide open. With Greaves still leading the rankings, the final events of the Women’s Series promise even more excitement as players chase history and the chance to represent the sport on its biggest stages.