The weekend of August 22, 2026, delivered a thrilling double‑header at the Mattioli Arena in Leicester, where two of the sport’s leading women, Lisa Ashton and Fallon Sherrock, each captured a title in the PDC Women’s Series. Their triumphs not only reinforced their positions in the rankings—Ashton holding second place and Sherrock third—but also highlighted the depth of talent competing for the coveted spots that lead to the upcoming World Darts Championship. Event 17 opened with Lisa Ashton, the seasoned English darts professional from Lancaster, displaying a dominant form that left little doubt about her intentions. She breezed through the opening round, posting three consecutive white‑wash victories that saw her opponents fail to claim a single leg.
In the round of 16, Ashton met Lauren Hall and, despite a brief resistance, surrendered only one leg before advancing to the quarter‑finals. Her momentum continued as she faced Grace Ferridge, dispatching her 5‑1 in a match that showcased Ashton’s clinical finishing and steady scoring. The semi‑final presented a sterner test against Gemma Hayter.
The two exchanged high‑scoring visits, and the match stretched to a deciding leg. Ashton’s experience shone through as she edged Hayter by the narrowest of margins, securing her place in the final. There, she encountered the 2025 Women’s World Matchplay champion, Lauryn Salter, who had earned her spot by navigating a tough draw that included victories over Emma Pearce and Jade Gofford. Salter’s run to the final marked a personal milestone, as it was her first appearance in a Women’s Series final after earlier semi‑final success at Event 12.
In the championship match, Ashton’s consistency proved overwhelming. She delivered a flawless performance, winning 5‑0 without dropping a leg, and claimed her third Women’s Series title of the year. The victory not only cemented her standing as the current runner‑up in the series rankings but also propelled Salter up to 16th place, reflecting the impact of her breakthrough run.
While Ashton celebrated her success, the second event of the day, Event 18, saw Fallon Sherrock seize the spotlight. The 32‑year‑old, a former Women’s World Matchplay champion, entered the tournament with a clear objective: to add another title to her impressive resume.
After a convincing 5‑1 win over Hollie McKain and a similarly dominant display against Julie Whitehouse—where she dropped only a single leg—Sherrock advanced to the quarter‑finals with confidence. Sherrock’s quarter‑final clash with Jody Hancock was a showcase of high scoring, as she posted a 93 average and secured a comfortable victory.
She then faced Leanne Topper in the last eight, where she maintained her aggressive style and progressed without difficulty. In the semi‑final, Sherrock met Aoife McCormack and delivered a swift 5‑0 win, before confronting Gemma Hayter in a rematch of the July Women’s World Matchplay semi‑final. This time, Sherrock turned the tables, defeating Hayter 5‑3 and booking her place in the final against Lisa Ashton. The final was a repeat of the earlier showdown between the two English rivals.
Sherrock, determined to prevent Ashton from claiming a double‑header, opened with a blistering start and never looked back. She dominated the match, winning 5‑0 and securing her first Women’s Series title of 2026—a milestone that came after a 16‑month title drought.
Her performance was marked by precise trebles, efficient finishing, and an unwavering composure under pressure. Absent from the day’s action was Beau Greaves, the current leader of the Women’s Series rankings. Greaves’ continued dominance at the top of the leaderboard meant that Ashton and Sherrock’s victories served to solidify their chase for the coveted top‑three spots. The importance of these positions cannot be overstated, as the three highest‑ranked players at the conclusion of the series will earn qualification for the 2026/27 Paddy Power World Darts Championship.
Additionally, the series leader will gain entry to the 2026 Mr Vegas Grand Slam of Darts, further raising the stakes for every match. The detailed results from both events underline the competitive nature of the series. In Event 17, the quarter‑finals featured matches such as Lauryn Salter 5‑2 Emma Pearce and Jade Gofford 5‑2 Sue Lowther, while the semi‑finals saw Salter edging Gofford 5‑4 and Ashton overcoming Hayter 5‑4.
The final, as noted, ended with Ashton’s 5‑0 triumph over Salter. Event 18’s quarter‑finals included Karolina Ratajska 5‑2 Tracey Dean and Lisa Ashton 5‑1 Trina Gulliver, with Sherrock delivering a flawless 5‑0 victory over Aoife McCormack. The semi‑finals produced a 5‑3 win for Ashton over Ratajska and a 5‑3 win for Sherrock over Hayter, culminating in Sherrock’s 5‑0 final win over Ashton. Beyond the immediate results, these tournaments provided a platform for emerging talent such as Lauryn Salter, whose ascent into the top 20 of the rankings signals a promising future for the women’s game.
The series also continues to attract a growing audience, with streaming options available via platforms like NOW and live coverage on Sky Sports, ensuring that fans can follow the excitement wherever they are. Looking ahead, the race to the top of the Women’s Series remains open.
While Greaves retains her lead, the performances of Ashton and Sherrock demonstrate that the gap can be closed with consistency and high‑quality play. The upcoming events will be crucial in determining which three players will earn the coveted spots at the World Darts Championship, and whether the series leader will also secure a place at the Grand Slam. The stakes are high, the competition fierce, and the stage is set for more memorable moments in women’s darts throughout the remainder of the 2026 season.