Women’s World Matchplay - Back to winning ways for Beau Greaves who reclaims title in Blackpool against Fallon Sherrock

Beau Greaves is once again the Queen of Blackpool. She came into the day as the overwhelming favourite, and lived up to the hype as she defeated Fallon Sherrock in an enthralling 6-5 win.

It is a third Winter Gardens triumph for Greaves who came in clutch throughout the day. Some brilliant performances were highlighted with some incredible ton+ checkouts in the early rounds.

Sherrock was a tricky competitor to crack, producing some excellent darts throughout the day. She took a break lead in the final before Greaves instantly responded. A break going the way of Greaves looked to be that, but Sherrock fought back to force a final-leg decider. Greaves had the throw, and produced the goods for another Women's World Matchplay title. This has also sealed her spot in the PDC World Darts Championship and Grand Slam of Darts, while Sherrock also confirmed a return to Ally Pally at the end of the year.

The quarter-finals went to script with the four top seeds comfortably making it through. Greaves in particular impressed, taking out 148 and 144 in her opening two legs against Kirsti Viinikainen as she averaged almost 92 in a 5-1 win.

Hayter rode her luck to comeback from 4-2 down to defeat Swede Vicky Pruim 5-4, sloppy on the outer ring but having the tools to prevail. It was more comfortable for the reigning champion, Lisa Ashton, who took out 120 enroute to winning 5-2 against Rhian O’Sullivan. Finally, Sherrock breezed past debutant Deta Hedman 5-0.

Greaves came a cropper at the semi-final stage last year and was determined not to let that fate occur once more. She almost did against Hayter who pushed her all the way but clutch a huge 104 checkout with her opponent stranded on 85 was enough to secure a third final in Blackpool.

In the second match, Sherrock showed her class to end the title defence of Ashton and set up a re-match of the 2024 final. Having dropped just one leg enroute to the final, it was set to be a thrilling final.

The pair have met 50 times with Greaves winning 40 of them. Sherrock was determined to find an elusive win over ‘Beau ‘n’ Arrow’ but would need to continue her clinical streak on the outer ring. Last year, she missed 11 championship darts against Ashton enroute to losing in the final.

Greaves faffed in the first leg, missing tops for a 108 checkout before busting 40 on double 15. Sherrock was nowhere near and Greaves took the lead. Sherrock responded instantly with a purple patch that saw her break the throw in the next leg with a brilliant 87 checkout in two.

The ton+ checkouts were flowing for Greaves who pounced on Sherrock’s misses to take out 120 to break back. A 12-dart hold of throw followed to re-take control. Double four was pinned in a leg the ‘Queen of the Palace’ was in control of as she shrugged off the Greaves pressure to level at 3-3.

Against the throw, Greaves was afforded six darts on 126. She set up 28 after the first visit but could not take it out the first time of asking. Struggles on double seven were not capitalised by Sherrock as the 22-year-old edged one away from the title.

Sherrock had to win three legs on the bounce to stay in the match and pinned double 18 for an 11-darter to put the tie back on throw. She took out 70 with one dart on double 16, showcasing bucket loads of composure with Greaves on 48 to force a decider.

It was full of high quality. Greaves relished throwing first but was under all sorts of pressure with Sherrock hammering the treble 20 bed. In return, she hit five consecutive 60’s before the outer bull left 56. Sherrock could not take out 138, and with her second championship dart Greaves won the title.