Lisa Ashton Claims Thrilling 2025 Women’s World Matchplay Title in Last-Leg Classic

Lisa Ashton secured her first Betfred Women’s World Matchplay crown in dramatic fashion on Sunday afternoon at Blackpool’s iconic Winter Gardens, edging Fallon Sherrock in a nerve-shredding last-leg shootout.

In a contest packed with momentum swings and high-stakes drama, Ashton survived an astonishing 11 missed match darts from Sherrock across the final two legs, eventually sealing victory with a composed 64 checkout to complete a 6-5 triumph.

A Battle of Champions in the Empress Ballroom

Ashton, one of the most decorated figures in the women’s game, finally added the Women’s Matchplay title to her illustrious CV after previous near-misses. She had to dig deep throughout the day, overcoming Ireland’s Robyn Byrne in the quarter-finals and dethroning the reigning champion Beau Greaves in the semi-final before her nail-biting showdown with Sherrock.

The Lancashire thrower began her day with a steady 4-2 win over Byrne before stepping up her game in a high-quality clash with Greaves. That semi-final encounter saw Ashton land a crucial 140 checkout en route to a 5-3 victory, halting Greaves’ bid for a third successive title.

Grand Slam and Ally Pally Beckon

Victory in Blackpool means Ashton has now qualified for both the Grand Slam of Darts and the World Darts Championship later this year—adding even more significance to her memorable run.

“I’m absolutely over the moon,” Ashton said after lifting the trophy. “The support from the crowd really helped me over the line. I’ve had my ups and downs this year, but today everything just came together.”

Reflecting on her rivalry with Sherrock, Ashton added: “We always seem to push each other to our limits. That final had everything and I think we showed just how good the women’s game can be.”

Sherrock So Close to Double Glory

Fallon Sherrock, the winner of the inaugural Women’s Matchplay in 2022, looked poised to reclaim her crown as she mounted a spirited comeback in the latter stages of the final. Trailing early, she reeled off impressive legs including 13 and 14-dart holds, as well as an 86 finish, to take a 5-4 lead.

But in a cruel twist, Sherrock missed eight darts to seal the title in leg ten and another three in the decider, opening the door for Ashton to produce a match-winning 14-dart leg featuring a timely maximum.

Despite the disappointment, Sherrock remained upbeat: “I’ve been struggling with form, so to get to another final here feels like a big step forward. Lisa played brilliantly—she always brings her best when we meet.”

Sherrock’s path to the final included a narrow 4-3 win over Gemma Hayter in the first round, where she had to fend off a late surge after racing into a 3-0 lead. She then edged out Noa-Lynn van Leuven in a tight nine-leg battle, surviving match darts along the way.

Van Leuven Impresses, Greaves Falters

Dutch star Noa-Lynn van Leuven was one of the stories of the tournament. After cruising past Lorraine Winstanley 4-0 in her opener, she pushed Sherrock to the brink in the semi-finals, producing a 116 checkout to force a decider and narrowly missing the upset.

Meanwhile, top seed Beau Greaves looked dominant in her quarter-final win over Finland’s Kirsi Viinikainen, averaging over 96 in a 4-1 demolition job. However, her quest for a third straight title was halted by Ashton in the semi-finals, despite the defending champion firing in four 180s during the match.

Final Thoughts

Lisa Ashton’s triumph at the 2025 Women’s World Matchplay is a major milestone in her storied career and a huge statement in the current landscape of women’s darts. The win not only cements her place among the greats of the game but also books her ticket to two of the biggest stages in the sport later this year.

The event delivered thrilling finishes, shock moments, and elite performances—underlining why the Women’s World Matchplay is fast becoming a staple of the darting calendar at the Winter Gardens.

See our preview for the mens 2025 World Matchplay Final here