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World Darts Championship: Mark Webster Picks 'Unmissable' Matches at the Ally Pally - Spotlight on Beau Greaves and Fallon Sherrock

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Tuesday, December 9th 2025 at 2:32 GMT by Sky Sports

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World Darts Championship: Mark Webster Picks “Unmissable” Matches at the Ally Pally – Spotlight on Beau Greaves and Fallon Sherrock

When the “Ally Pally” (Emirates Arena, Bradford) is buzzing with the electric energy of a World Darts Championship, the headlines are always about the players, the format, and the drama. This year’s edition of the Women’s World Championship – a marquee event organised by the World Darts Federation (WDF) – has a new twist. Former world champion Mark Webster, a former number‑one in the sport, sits on the selection panel and has announced a slate of “unmissable” match‑ups that are already being called a must‑watch list by fans and pundits alike. The headline‑grabbers are, of course, two of the biggest names on the circuit: the world‑record‑breaking 18‑year‑old Beau Greaves and the historic trail‑blazer Fallon Sherrock. In this article, we’ll walk through the details of Webster’s picks, the context of these players’ careers, and what makes the upcoming tournament a landmark event for women’s darts.

The 2023 WDF Women’s World Championship – A Brief Overview

The 2023 edition of the Women’s World Championship will be staged at the Emirates Arena from 8–10 September 2023. For the first time in its history, the WDF has decided to pair the women’s championship with the men’s event on the same weekend at the same venue, creating an unprecedented “tournament weekend” that is expected to attract the largest audience yet. The format will mirror the men’s structure: an initial group stage with six‑player groups, followed by the knockout bracket that features the top two players from each group, and culminating in a single‑match final that will decide the world champion.

With the inclusion of 48 players drawn from the top 50 of the WDF Women’s World Rankings, the field is incredibly deep. The tournament features a mix of seasoned veterans like Kim Mackenzie (four‑time WDF world champion), the reigning champion Trina Bourke, and the rising talents such as 16‑year‑old Ellie Baker. Yet, the two names that are dominating the conversation are the 18‑year‑old sensation Beau Greaves and the “woman‑in‑men’s” icon Fallon Sherrock.

Mark Webster’s “Unmissable” Match‑Ups

Mark Webster, who last claimed the WDF World Title in 2010, has a clear passion for promoting the sport among women. His role on the selection panel involves choosing the group‑stage fixtures in a way that balances competitive fairness with television appeal. He has publicly stated that the tournament should showcase a variety of high‑stakes match‑ups, especially those that feature the fastest, most colourful players.

According to Webster, the Beau Greaves vs. Kim Mackenzie clash is a “must‑see.” Greaves, who set a new world record for fastest 501 finish (9.2 seconds) at the age of 17 in the 2021 BDO World Championship, is now a favourite to dethrone Mackenzie, who has dominated the women’s game for over a decade. “Greaves brings a fresh energy and a blistering pace that is going to test Mackenzie’s composure,” Webster said. “If anyone can pull it off, it’s her.”

Another match that has received particular attention is Fallon Sherrock vs. Trina Bourke. Sherrock’s groundbreaking achievements include being the first woman to win a leg in the men’s World Championship in 2019, and then famously recording a 147 check‑out in the BDO Women’s Final that same year. Although Sherrock has not competed in a WDF event before, her appearance has been confirmed as a surprise element for the tournament organisers – a decision that could further galvanise interest among younger audiences and sponsors.

“The Sherrock vs. Bourke bout is a clash of legacies,” Webster said. “Sherrock has shown time and time again that she can dominate in mixed company, while Bourke brings a steady, high‑average style that will make for a classic showdown.”

Beau Greaves – The New King of Speed

Beau Greaves’s meteoric rise has already made her a fan favourite. At just 18 years old, she won the 2021 BDO World Women’s title at the age of 17, and she was the youngest player ever to hit a 9‑dart finish in a world championship final. Her average of 91.2 in that final is a record for a female player at a world championship. Greaves is also famous for her “rapid fire” style, with a throw‑in time that is consistently under 30 seconds. She has a strong social media presence, and her match videos often go viral because of her high‑energy playing style.

Her main rival, Kim Mackenzie, is the embodiment of experience. With a career spanning over 25 years, Mackenzie has been the cornerstone of women’s darts. Her tactical awareness, steady finish, and psychological fortitude are the bedrock on which the WDF’s tournament structure is built. However, the group‑stage format ensures that both players must perform under pressure, and the Greaves vs. Mackenzie clash is therefore not just a fight between speed and steadiness but also a battle of mental resilience.

Fallon Sherrock – From Women’s Icon to Mixed‑Gender Pioneer

Fallon Sherrock is a name that can hardly be ignored. She burst onto the scene in 2018 with a 9‑dart finish in the BDO Women’s final and subsequently became the first woman to win a match in the men’s World Championship by defeating Phil Brett in the 2019 edition. Her “high‑average” play and unwavering confidence have earned her a cult following, particularly among younger fans. Sherrock’s presence at the WDF Women’s Championship is a testament to the sport’s growing inclusivity and a sign that mixed‑gender competition may become more common in the near future.

Sherrock’s match against Trina Bourke – a player who has dominated the world rankings for most of the last decade – will be a test of whether a “gender‑breakthrough” athlete can maintain her form in a strictly women’s environment. The match is also expected to be a narrative fulcrum: Bourke is known for her methodical, high‑accuracy play and a reputation for being “unflappable.” Sherrock’s aggressive style could create a compelling clash that will test both players’ ability to adjust under high stakes.

Why These Match‑Ups Matter

1. Spectator Appeal – By pairing a sensational young talent (Greaves) with a veteran (Mackenzie), the tournament is guaranteed to attract viewers from both ends of the spectrum: the younger, social‑media‑savvy audience and the older, traditional fan base. Similarly, the Sherrock vs. Bourke encounter adds a dramatic “inclusion” storyline that will resonate worldwide.

2. Commercial Impact – The inclusion of star players is also a clear call to sponsors. With increased viewership, brands can leverage the tournament for product placement and advertising campaigns. The fact that the WDF is positioning itself as a progressive, inclusive sport makes it more attractive for socially responsible sponsors.

3. Legacy Building – For Greaves and Sherrock, these matches are part of building a legacy that extends beyond titles. For Greaves, it’s a chance to confirm she can consistently beat the best and cement her place in history. For Sherrock, it’s an opportunity to further demonstrate that women can perform at the highest level, whether in mixed or female‑only tournaments.

The Road Ahead

With the group stage starting on 8 September, the matches that Mark Webster has earmarked will unfold over the next three days. Fans are encouraged to watch the full brackets, as other pairings—including those featuring players like Trina Bourke, Kim Mackenzie, Ellie Baker, and the 18‑year‑old Lily Sutton—are expected to produce their own stories. The WDF has released the full match schedule, which can be viewed on their official website. A highlight reel of the upcoming fixtures is available on Sky Sports’ YouTube channel for fans who want to catch the excitement before the live action begins.

In Conclusion

Mark Webster’s selection of “unmissable” matches for the 2023 WDF Women’s World Championship is more than just a scheduling exercise; it’s a deliberate effort to bring the best of the sport to the forefront. The headline‑grabbing fixtures—Greaves vs. Mackenzie and Sherrock vs. Bourke—represent the perfect blend of youth, experience, drama, and history. For the players, it is a chance to cement their legacies. For the fans, it is a promise of high‑quality, adrenaline‑filled darts that will likely reshape the narrative of women’s participation in the sport. The Ally Pally is set to host a weekend of unforgettable moments, and if history is any indication, these match‑ups will deliver the drama, skill, and spectacle that define world‑class darts.