Darts fans around the world hardly need reminding of just how exceptional Beau Greaves is – but just in case anyone recently washed up from a desert island, she’s kindly provided a fresh demonstration.
With the standard in the PDC Women’s Series higher than ever, most players would be thrilled to claim one title in a season – ecstatic with two. But Greaves had already banked half a dozen before a dart was thrown this weekend, and by the end of it, she’d stormed into double figures. Not bad for someone who plays with the calm composure of a kid popping to the kitchen to put the kettle on.
Saturday afternoon in Milton Keynes saw the start of the season’s 13th tour event – unlucky for some, but not for Beau. The Doncaster star eased into the semi-finals, dropping just six legs along the way and posting a string of strong averages, the highlight being just under a ton in her high-quality 5–3 quarter-final win over Noa-Lynn van Leuven.
Gemma Hayter was enjoying an impressive run until she collided with a red-hot Greaves in the semis – a trend that would, unfortunately for the Eastleigh thrower, repeat itself. The match ended 5–2 in favour of the three-time WDF World Champion. That was followed by a win over Fallon Sherrock by the same scoreline, handing Beau her seventh title of the season and putting her well on course for a few more before Songs of Praise hit the screens on Sunday night.
After a quick break for lunch, it was Greaves who had everyone singing her praises, returning to action with the same ruthless efficiency and breezing into the semi-finals. Hayter was in her path once more – and, once again, couldn’t stop her. It was a strong day for the Gosport native, though it might have been even better if she hadn’t kept running into Beau.
This time, the final was far more dramatic. Lorraine Winstanley raced into a 3–1 lead and looked poised to spring a surprise. But Greaves clawed her way back to lead 4–3, only for Winstanley to produce a brilliant 15-darter to force a decider. Under pressure, Beau delivered once again – taking the deciding leg and wrapping up a flawless first day.
There were likely a few pantomime groans when Greaves strolled into the arena on Sunday morning. Many were probably hoping she’d gone to church or simply slept through her alarm. No such luck. The 21-year-old looked even sharper and, brimming with confidence, tore through the field.
Fallon Sherrock – no stranger to making history – was her quarter-final victim once more, falling 5–2 for the second day running. Aileen de Graaf, usually one of the circuit’s top performers, was well below par and Beau didn’t hesitate to dish out a whitewash. In her third final of the weekend, Rhian O’Sullivan proved a worthy opponent, but the Welshwoman couldn’t live with Greaves. The Yorkshire prodigy averaged over 90 again, securing a 5–2 win and completing a remarkable hat-trick.
By now, Beau Greaves seemed to believe the only person who could stop her was herself. Germany’s Stefanie Lueck was next in line but could only watch as Beau posted another ton-plus average en route to a whitewash. Gemma Hayter – no doubt growing tired of the sight of her compatriot – also failed to register a leg. Two more wins later, with barely a scratch, and Greaves was into yet another semi-final. If anyone could sympathise with Hayter, it was Fallon Sherrock, who suffered a third 5–2 defeat of the weekend at the hands of the Doncaster destroyer. Only Lisa Ashton now stood between Beau and a clean sweep – and in the battle of the roses, Yorkshire beat Lancashire 5–1. Just five legs dropped across that whole last event. Lethal.
It’s hard to consider anyone else for the Player of the Weekend title, but Sherrock certainly has reason to hold her head high. Despite recent health challenges – which she’s bravely spoken about – she reached two semi-finals and a couple of quarters across the four events. A fine achievement, and one that should be applauded.
Lisa Ashton also deserves recognition. As well as reaching Sunday’s final, she made the semi-finals and quarter-finals on Saturday, proving that class truly is permanent. And there’s none more classier than the Lancashire Rose.
Beau Greaves now sits more than £10,000 clear at the top of the Women’s Series Order of Merit, with Sherrock and Ashton currently occupying the two PDC World Championship spots behind her. It was tight at the bottom end of the Women’s World Matchplay qualification race, but Aileen de Graaf narrowly missed out as Lorraine Winstanley and Finland’s Kirsi Viinikainen claimed the final two places ahead of the Dutch star.
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Images: PDC
