Lisa Ashton and Fallon Sherrock each walked away with a trophy on Saturday, dominating Events 17 and 18 of the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) Women’s Series and cementing their spots as the second‑ and third‑ranked players on the leaderboard. The double‑header took place at the Mattioli Arena in Leicester, a venue that hosted two intense evenings of darts, with both seasoned competitors showcasing why they remain at the forefront of the women's game.
Event 17 began with Ashton in blistering form. She breezed through the early rounds, dispatching her opponents without dropping a set and delivering three consecutive whitewash victories to reach the last‑16. In that round she faced Lauren Hall and, despite conceding a single leg, secured a comfortable win that propelled her into the quarter‑finals.
From there Ashton continued her relentless march, overcoming Grace Ferridge 5‑1 in the quarters. The semi‑final proved a tighter affair as she met Gemma Hayter, a fellow English player known for her steady scoring. The match went to a deciding leg, but Ashton’s composure under pressure saw her edge out Hayter and book a place in the final.
In the championship match Ashton faced Lauryn Salter, a rising star who had already made a name for herself by reaching the semi‑finals of Event 12 earlier in the season. Salter’s path to the final was impressive: she dispatched Emma Pearce and Jade Gofford in the quarter‑ and semi‑finals respectively, a run that lifted her to 16th in the Women’s Series rankings. However, Ashton’s experience proved decisive. She dominated the final, winning 5‑0 without dropping a leg, and claimed her third Women’s Series title of the 2026 calendar year.
The victory not only added another trophy to Ashton’s cabinet but also reinforced her position as a consistent threat in every event she enters. While Ashton celebrated her triumph, the day also marked a milestone for Salter.
Although she fell short in the final, her appearance represented a breakthrough; it was her first ever Women’s Series final, and the performance signaled her growing stature on the circuit. Her ascent in the rankings reflects the depth of talent emerging in the women’s game and hints at future contests where she could challenge the established elite. Event 18 shifted the spotlight to Fallon Sherrock, who was determined to avenge her earlier loss to Ashton and secure her own title.
Sherrock entered the tournament with confidence, having posted a series of strong performances in recent weeks. She opened the event by dispatching Hollie McKain and Julie Whitehouse, each match yielding only a single leg lost.
In the quarter‑finals she faced Jody Hancock, posting a respectable 93 average and winning comfortably. The semi‑final saw Sherrock face Leanne Topper, a match she won with relative ease, setting up a semi‑final clash with the formidable Aoife McCormack, which she won 5‑0. The semi‑final against Gemma Hayter proved more challenging.
After a tightly contested battle, Sherrock emerged victorious 5‑3, securing her place in the final for the fourth time this year. The final was a rematch of the July Women’s World Matchplay semi‑final, pitting Sherrock against Ashton once again. This time Sherrock turned the tables, delivering a flawless 5‑0 performance that denied Ashton a second title on the same day.
The win marked Sherrock’s first Women’s Series title in over 16 months and underscored her resurgence on the tour. Both events highlighted the continued dominance of Beau Greaves, who was absent from Saturday’s action but remains atop the Women’s Series rankings.
Greaves’ lead ensures she stays the favorite to clinch the series overall, while Ashton and Sherrock have solidified their positions as her closest challengers, occupying second and third place respectively. The stakes are high, as the top three players at the conclusion of the 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. The detailed results from both events illustrate the competitive landscape: 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 demonstrate the high level of play but also the narrow margins that separate victory from defeat in women’s darts. As the series progresses, fans can expect further intense matchups, with each player striving to secure the coveted qualification spots for the upcoming world championships.
The upcoming weeks will be crucial for Greaves, Ashton, Sherrock, and other contenders as they battle for points, prize money, and the prestige of being crowned the top female darts player in the world. Beyond the tournament action, the PDC continues to expand its broadcast and streaming options, offering fans the ability to watch live darts on platforms such as NOW and Sky Sports. The organization also promotes related content, including highlight reels, podcasts like "Love the Darts," and other multimedia experiences that keep the sport accessible and engaging for a global audience.
As the women's circuit gains momentum, the increased exposure is likely to attract new talent and sponsors, further strengthening the professional environment for female darts athletes. In summary, Saturday’s double‑header at the Mattioli Arena delivered two compelling narratives: Lisa Ashton’s third title of the year and Fallon Sherrock’s long‑awaited return to the winner’s podium.
Both performances have reshaped the rankings and set the stage for an exciting climax to the 2026 Women’s Series, where the battle for world‑championship qualification will intensify and the sport’s growing fan base will eagerly follow every throw.