The sensational Beau Greaves once again dominated the PDC Women’s Series, extending her incredible title-winning streak to an astonishing eleven in a row – on a day when Deta Hedman’s actions also grabbed the headlines.
As remarkable as that stat is, it’s hard to be surprised given the sheer brilliance of the Doncaster destroyer. In the curtain rasier, Greaves powered through to the quarter-finals, dropping just two legs along the way. There, she was pushed all the way by Noa-Lynn van Leuven, edging the Dutch player in a tense deciding leg. Gemma Hayter, enjoying a productive run herself, couldn’t keep pace with Beau – and that usually only ends one way.
In the final, a fantastic effort from Fallon Sherrock produced another instant classic, going the full distance. Both players averaged in the high 90s as they traded blows in a thrilling Wigan showdown, but it was the Yorkshire star who edged her England rival to take yet another title.
A quick spot of lunch – and then on to the next one. You’d be forgiven for thinking it was Groundhog Day.
Looking even sharper, Greaves blasted her way to the semi-finals of Event Two without ever being seriously challenged. Only Macy Gibbons managed to nick more than a leg, losing 4–2 in the second round.
Lisa Ashton – one of the few players capable of pushing Beau when she’s firing – had no answer this time, falling 5–1.
If the first final was a belter, the sequel was even better. Same venue, same two finalists, same 5–4 scoreline – but an even higher standard than before. Fresh from her brilliant victory over Luke Littler in the World Youth Championship semi-final earlier in the week, Greaves carried that confidence on.
In a rare match that went entirely with throw, her winning of the bull and right to throw first ultimately proved decisive.You’ll struggle to find two better Women’s Series finals than the pair served up by Greaves and Sherrock this afternoon.
But the day’s headlines were shared between Beau’s brilliance and Deta Hedman’s decision to withdraw from the second event. After defeating Grace Ferridge to reach the quarter-finals, Hedman opted not to play Noa-Lynn van Leuven, pulling out of the event.The Heart of Darts has long been a passionate advocate for women’s sport, and her withdrawal was in protest at being drawn against the Dutch player, who was born male.
The WDF and several other darting bodies have banned transgender women from competing in female-only events. The PDC, however, has not adopted that policy, maintaining that it follows the DRA’s current inclusion guidelines – and shows no sign of changing course.
Whatever your view on the issue, Hedman’s stance is clear. The veteran has drawn her line in the sand, and in fairness to her, she’s sticking to it.
So, the question remains – who can stop Beau tomorrow? Fallon Sherrock came close twice today but couldn’t quite find the final blow. Right now, it feels like only Greaves herself can stop the streak.
—–Ends—–
Images: World Senior Darts
