“If somebody had said to me I’d get to the final, I’d have bitten their hand off" - Fallon Sherrock takes huge positives despite more Blackpool heartache

A welcoming return to form for Fallon Sherrock ended in brutal fashion after she was pipped to the post by Beau Greaves in the final of the Women's World Matchplay. Nevertheless, she was quick to seek the positives from what was a trio of fantastic performances.

Sherrock has failed to hit the heights she once was at when breaking onto the scene. The trailblazer for women's darts is finding her feet again on the oche as the likes of Greaves asserts her dominance on the Women's Series.

She came to Blackpool with the intention of challenging for a second Matchplay title, and got very close. Whitewashing debutant Deta Hedman 5-0 with a very impressive display, she backed it up by offering reigning champion Lisa Ashton virtually no chance. A 5-1 triumph meant one leg was dropped on the oche enroute to the final where Greaves, who in contrast had been through some battles, was waiting.

It was an even start. Sherrock broke first in the race to six with an 87 checkout but that was bettered with a 120 from 'Beau 'n' Arrow' to get back on level terms. Two legs on the spin by Greaves made it 5-3, and it seemed that she had one hand on the trophy.

Sherrock was not going to give up without a fight, breaking straight back, she kept her composure on double 16 for a 70 outshot with her opponent stranded on 48. A final-leg decider was due and it proved to be full of quality. Both players pounded the treble 20 bed, but Greaves had the advantage on throw. The 'Queen of the Palace' got down to 58, but could only watch as the 22-year-old pinned double 10 for a third Matchplay crown.

So close yet so far for Sherrock. Nether player produced their best darts in the final, but overall it was a brilliant day on stage for Sherrock. It is now three consecutive runner-up titles for her. She lost to Greaves back in 2024 before wasting 11 match darts against Ashton last year.

This was a different type of defeat. “I will definitely take the positives,” she admitted after the match. “If somebody had said to me I’d get to the final, I’d have bitten their hand off. Beau deserved to win. She was the better player, so full credit to her."

Sitting third in the Women's Series Order of Merit, Sherrock has not been at her glittering best. However, she hopes that this is a catalyst for bigger and better things to come. “Hopefully this kickstarts my season. My main aim is to get to the World Championship, so if I can regroup my game, you never know, I might go on a run again.”

This run to the final means that a return to the PDC World Darts Championship is on the cards. She failed to qualify for the Grand Slam of Darts in the process with the winner heading to Wolverhampton in November. Sherrock will look to keep this steady run of form up as the 2026 season ploughs on.