Lisa Ashton and Fallon Sherrock shared the titles on a high-quality day of PDC Women’s Series action at the Mattioli Arena in Leicester on Saturday, with the pair reinforcing their positions as the leading challengers to Beau Greaves’ dominance.
In the absence of the runaway Order of Merit leader Greaves, who has already claimed 11 titles this season, Ashton and Sherrock both lifted the £2,500 first prize across Events 17 and 18.
The results tighten the battle for the remaining qualification places for the 2027 PDC World Darts Championship and keep both players firmly in the mix for the season’s major prizes.
Event 17: Ashton Makes No Mistake
Ashton opened the day with a clinical display to claim her third Women’s Series title of 2026. The former world number one progressed smoothly through the early rounds before surviving a stern semi-final test against Gemma Hayter, winning 5-4.
In the other half of the draw, Lauryn Salter produced one of the performances of the afternoon, edging Jade Gofford 5-4 to reach her first final of the season.The final itself was one-sided. Ashton controlled proceedings from the outset and whitewashed Salter 5-0, averaging just under 68 but converting her chances with ruthless efficiency.
The victory lifted Ashton to £16,050 on the Order of Merit and underlined her consistency whenever the opportunity arises in Greaves’ absence.
Event 18: Sherrock Ends the Drought
Fallon Sherrock then delivered the statement performance of the day. The 2022 Women’s World Matchplay champion had reached four finals in 2026 without lifting the trophy; that wait ended emphatically in Event 18.
Sherrock was in dominant form throughout. She whitewashed Aoife McCormack in the quarter-finals, then overcame a stubborn Gemma Hayter 5-3 in the semi-finals with a 79.42 average.
Waiting in the final was Ashton, who had earlier seen off Karolina Ratajska 5-3.
The two big names produced an unusually one-sided contest. Sherrock averaged 81.68 and completed a comprehensive 5-0 victory, her first Women’s Series title since early 2025 and a timely boost to her ranking and confidence.
Context and Rankings Impact
The absence of Greaves opened the door for the rest of the field, and both Ashton and Sherrock took full advantage.
Gemma Hayter reached the last four of both events and remains fourth on the Order of Merit with £8,300. Other notable performers included Salter, who reached her first final of the year, and Ratajska, who impressed in reaching the Event 18 semi-finals.
After 18 events the standings remain clear at the top: Greaves leads on £29,700, Ashton sits second on £16,050, and Sherrock has climbed to third on £10,850.
The top three at the end of the season will secure spots at the 2027 PDC World Darts Championship, making every remaining weekend critical.
Looking Ahead
The Women’s Series remains in Leicester for Events 19 and 20 on Sunday, offering immediate opportunities for further ranking points. With Greaves expected to return and the qualification race for Ally Pally intensifying, the coming weeks promise more high-stakes action.
Saturday’s results confirmed what many already knew: when Greaves is not in the field, Ashton and Sherrock remain the players most capable of claiming titles.
Both left Leicester with silverware and renewed belief as the 2026 Women’s Series heads into its final stretch.
Images: PDC
