Blackpool Beau: Greaves Reclaims World Matchplay Crown in Last-Leg Thriller

Beau Greaves is a Women’s World Matchplay champion once again, edging out Fallon Sherrock 6-5 in a final that went the distance for the second year running, reclaiming the title she last lifted in 2024 and extending her unbeaten record in Blackpool finals.

The early stages gave little away, with neither player able to find a foothold. It was Sherrock who made the first real move, hitting a 180 in the third leg before following it with an 87 checkout in two darts to break Greaves’ throw and edge in front.

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Greaves responded almost immediately. A 120 checkout looked set to hand Sherrock a 3-2 lead in a leg she appeared firmly in control of, only for Greaves to steal it away, the key turning point of the match. Levelling things at 2-2, she then backed it up with a slick 12-darter to move 3-2 ahead.

The pattern of fine margins continued into the eighth leg, where Greaves broke throw to move within one leg of the title. Sherrock, though, was far from finished. She left herself 36 after just nine darts and finishing the job in eleven to put the match back on throw and close the gap to 5-4.

True to her billing as ‘The Queen of the Palace’, Sherrock held her nerve once more to level the match, forcing a last-leg decider for the second consecutive year.

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This time, it was Greaves who found the brilliance when it mattered most, matching a maximum from Sherrock with one of her own and inflicting yet another loss in the final on her. And for the second year running, a 6-5 defeat in the final.

Greaves, who rarely shows much emotion on stage, admitted the significance of the occasion got the better of her in the aftermath. On her uncharacteristic outburst, she said: “I’m not one to celebrate, but I felt the relief of winning, I think.”

She went on to reflect on the challenge of adjusting to her new challenge on the main PDC Tour: “Playing the women is a bit different for me now. I try to focus on the men’s game, so when I come back to play at the one tournament we get, it’s hard. I didn’t think I’d ease through it. I knew it would be tough, but after last year and the disappointment I had, I’m just so chuffed to get the win.”