Ashton and Hedman qualify for Worlds at Women’s Series

Day two of the PDC Women’s Series saw Lisa Ashton and Deta Hedman qualify for the World Darts Championship.

Ashton topped the Order of Merit, securing her second event title of the tournament by beating Hedman in the event three final. Both made the showpiece event at Alexandra Palace during the final event of the day.

Last year’s superstar Fallon Sherrock did not qualify. Despite winning event four, and being level on money with Hedman, The Dark Destroyer won more legs than Sherrock overall on the weekend. This meant Hedman will make her debut at the PDC World Championships in December. It will be the second appearance in three years for the Lancashire Rose.

Another solid start for Ashton

After securing the Grand Slam spot on Friday, and winning the first event on Saturday, things looked promising for Ashton to secure a World Championship berth in Barnsley.

The day started well for the Lancashire Rose, beating Anca Ziljstra in the second round and winning her board against Margaret Sutton. That set up a blockbuster last 16 tie against the youngster Beau Greaves, which Ashton won 4-2.

Her biggest challenge of the third event came against Vicky Pruim. She was 3-0 down and on the brink of defeat, but stormed back to win four legs in 63 darts to win 4-3 and move onto the semi finals. There, she fought hard to win 5-4 against Corinne Hammond.

That set up a final with overnight leader Hedman, who had beaten Fallon Sherrock in the quarter finals to get there. The Dark Destroyer knew she would be at Ally Pally with a win, and took an early 2-1 lead. Then, Ashton reeled off three straight legs to take control at 4-2. Despite Hedman holding throw, the four time World Champion would close the game out 6-3, taking the overall Order of Merit lead.

Ashton and Hedman secure qualifying places

That set up an intriguing final event at the Women’s Series, where only Fallon Sherrock could stop either Ashton or Hedman qualifying for the World Championship.

Sherrock and Hedman would be on course to meet in the quarter finals, so the Lancashire Rose knew she had to make the quarter finals to guarantee her spot. She won her board by beating Mandy Solomons, Holly Meadwell and Jo Locke, to set up a last 16 tie against Aileen de Graaf. There, she won 4-2 to seal a second appearance at Alexandra Palace in three years, after playing Jan Dekker in 2018.

For Hedman, it was a much more nervous wait. Both her and Sherrock set up another blockbuster quarter final meeting, this time the Queen of the Palace got revenge for defeat earlier in the day, winning 4-2. The Dark Destroyer thought she would have to wait and see if Sherrock won the event, as they would be tied on ranking money and a play-off might have to happen.

However, the rules of the event showed that places would be decided on legs won and then leg difference. This showed clear advantages for Hedman, meaning that she had done enough to qualify for her first ever PDC World Darts Championship.

It means that despite winning event four, and defeating both Hedman and then Ashton in the semi final to do so, Fallon Sherrock will not be at the Worlds this year. She won event four with a 6-2 victory over Corrine Hammond, but will rue missed darts at double across the weekend that would have sealed her spot back at Alexandra Palace.

Day Two Results

Event Three

Final

Lisa Ashton 6-3 Deta Hedman

Semi Final

Deta Hedman 5-0 Tracy North

Lisa Ashton 5-4 Corrine Hammond

Quarter Final

Deta Hedman 4-3 Fallon Sherrock

Tracy North 4-2 Aileen de Graaf

Corrine Hammond 4-1 Jo Clements

Lisa Ashton 4-3 Vicky Pruim

Last 16

Fallon Sherrock 4-0 Casey Gallagher

Deta Hedman 4-0 Donna Gleed

Tracy North 4-0 Robyn Byrne

Aileen de Graaf 4-1 Katie Sheldon

Jo Clements 4-3 Felicia Blay

Corrine Hammond 4-0 Louise Pearson

Vicky Pruim 4-2 Maria O’Brien

Lisa Ashton 4-2 Beau Greaves

Event Four

Final

Fallon Sherrock 6-2 Corrine Hammond

Semi Final

Fallon Sherrock 5-1 Lisa Ashton

Corrine Hammond 5-1 Laura Turner

Quarter Final

Fallon Sherrock 4-2 Deta Hedman

Lisa Ashton 4-0 Eleanor Cairns

Corrine Hammond 4-2 Lorraine Winstanley

Laura Turner 4-1 Maria O’Brien

Last 16

Fallon Sherrock 4-1 Natalie Gilbert

Deta Hedman 4-2 Rhian O’Sullivan

Lisa Ashton 4-2 Aileen de Graaf

Eleanor Cairns 4-1 Evonne Taylor

Corinne Hammond 4-0 Felicia Blay

Lorraine Winstanley 4-0 Margaret Sutton

Laura Turner 4-3 Tracey Davies

Maria O’Brien 4-1 Tracy North