Lisa Ashton and Fallon Sherrock each captured a title at the back-to-back PDC Women’s Series events 17 and 18 on Saturday, reinforcing their positions as the second and third highest‑ranked players on the circuit. The twin tournaments were staged at the Mattioli Arena in Leicester, providing a lively setting for the women’s competition and delivering two distinct storylines that will shape the remainder of the 2026 season. Event 17 began with Ashton in scintillating form. She powered through the opening round with three consecutive whitewash wins, never dropping a leg and signalling her intent to dominate the field.
In the round of 16 she faced Lauren Hall and, after a tightly contested match, surrendered only a single leg before advancing to the quarter‑finals. The quarter‑final match saw Ashton meet Grace Ferridge, a rising talent from Lancaster, and she dispatched her 5‑1 without difficulty. The semi‑final proved a sterner test as Ashton confronted Gemma Hayter, a player known for her steady scoring and clinical finishing.
The encounter went the distance, with Ashton edging out Hayter on a final‑leg decider to claim a place in the final. In the championship match Ashton faced Lauryn Salter, the 2025 Women’s World Matchplay champion. Salter, who had already impressed earlier in the season with a semi‑final appearance at Event 12, entered the final with confidence.
However Ashton proved too powerful, delivering a flawless 5‑0 victory that not only gave her a third Women’s Series title of the year but also cemented her status as the current runner‑up in the overall rankings. Salter, despite the loss, made history by reaching her inaugural Women’s Series final and, thanks to her strong showing, jumped to 16th place in the rankings after defeating Emma Pearce and Jade Gofford in the earlier rounds.
Event 18 unfolded later the same day, offering Sherrock the chance to avenge her earlier defeat to Ashton. Sherrock started strongly, losing just one leg across her first two matches against Hollie McKain and Julie Whitehouse. In the round of 16 she met Jody Hancock, posting an impressive 93 average and winning comfortably.
The quarter‑final saw her overcome Leanne Topper, and in the semi‑final she faced Aoife McCormack, dispatching her 5‑0 before a more competitive clash with Gemma Hayter, which she won 5‑3 to book her fourth final of the year. The final was a repeat of the July Women’s World Matchplay semi‑final, pitting Sherrock against Ashton once again.
This time Sherrock turned the tables, delivering a dominant 5‑0 performance that earned her the first Women’s Series title of 2026 after a 16‑month title drought. The victory was particularly sweet for the 32‑year‑old, who had previously claimed the 2022 Women’s World Matchplay crown and was eager to add another major trophy to her résumé.
Beau Greaves, who was absent from the Saturday action, continues to lead the Women’s Series rankings. With Ashton and Sherrock securing second and third places respectively, the top three of the final rankings will earn spots at the 2026/27 Paddy Power World Darts Championship, while the series leader also gains entry to the 2026 Mr Vegas Grand Slam of Darts. The detailed results from both 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 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 Beyond the immediate results, these tournaments have broader implications for the women’s game. The series continues to provide a platform for emerging talent like Salter and Gofford to test themselves against established stars, while the consistency of veterans such as Ashton and Sherrock demonstrates the depth of experience at the top.
The absence of Greaves adds an element of intrigue to the race for the top spot, as the remaining contenders vie for the limited qualification places for the World Championship and Grand Slam. Fans can follow the ongoing drama through live streams on platforms like NOW, which offers contract‑free access to darts coverage, and on Sky Sports for televised highlights. Additionally, podcasts such as "Love the Darts" provide analysis and behind‑the‑scenes insight into player form and upcoming fixtures.
Looking ahead, the next series of events will be crucial for those aiming to break into the top three and secure their places at the season‑ending majors. With the rankings tightly contested and the quality of play continuing to rise, the 2026 PDC Women’s Series promises more thrilling matches, surprise breakthroughs, and the occasional upset that keeps the sport vibrant and unpredictable.