Beau Greaves – who edged out Luke Littler to safe her spot within the World Youth Championship ultimate – noticed her desires shattered by Gian van Veen in Minehead.
Defending champion Van Veen, overwhelmed by Krzysztof Ratajski within the Gamers Championship Finals foremost draw on Saturday afternoon, averaged 96.55 and smashed in six out of 10 doubles to defeat Ladies’s Sequence winner Greaves 6-3 on the Butlin’s resort.
The Dutchman turned the second participant to defend the title, ending Greaves hopes of changing into the primary lady to win the event.
Within the race to 6 legs, Van Veen – taking part in in his third straight World Youth Championship ultimate – opened with a 14-dart maintain of throw earlier than Greaves confirmed confirmed her class to pin double eight.
Van Veen, averaging near 104, was not lacking treble 20 and an excellent 161 enabled him to arrange 24, which he nailed on double 12.
The Dutch star then broke ‘Beau ‘n’ Arrow’ within the subsequent leg, touchdown his first 180 and changing double 16, earlier than transferring three clear with an important 86 mixture on tops to ascertain a 4-1 cushion.
Van Veen wired double prime for a 114 try, permitting Greaves in to carry throw on double eight, lowering the deficit and he or she stepped issues up within the subsequent leg to interrupt her opponent.
Nonetheless, 23-year-old Van Veen punished 5 missed darts at doubles – regardless of Greaves leaving herself on 96 after simply 9 darts – to maneuver to the verge of victory and sealed the take care of a spectacular 118 checkout.
“I’m over the moon. It feels really good to retain my title,” stated Van Veen, additionally a runner-up to Luke Littler in 2023.
“I’m only the second player to retain the title after Dimitri [Van den Bergh], and to see what Dimi has done since – winning the World Matchplay and UK Open – I think they are encouraging signs for myself.
“In fact I gained my first main title a few weeks in the past, however everyone knows Beau is a incredible participant, so this offers me an enormous confidence enhance going into the World Championship.
“Ally Pally hasn’t been my favourite hunting ground. I haven’t won a game there yet, but I’m a completely different player to 12 months ago, so I’m really looking forward to it.
“This weekend has given me large confidence, not simply beating Beau but additionally beating Luke Humphries on Friday, so hopefully it will be my yr.”
Van den Bergh claimed back-to-back World Youth Championship titles in 2017 and 2018 respectively, while Littler, Luke Humphries and Michael Smith have also feature on the decorated World Youth Championship roll of honour.
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Watch as Greaves reeled off 5 consecutive legs to beat Niko Springer within the group stage of the Grand Slam of Darts in Wolverhampton
Greaves has already dominated the Ladies’s Sequence in 2025, choosing up 86 consecutive wins and 13 titles in a row, whereas she completed second on the Winmau Growth Tour this season to safe a PDC Tour Card for the following two years.
She reached the World Youth Championship ultimate having defeated world champion Littler within the semi-finals, forward of her returning to the World Darts Championship in December.
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Polly James and Chris Murphy assess what affect Greaves might have on the PDC circuit…
Gary Anderson has tipped Greaves to trigger some actual bother on the ProTour circuit in 2026, as she takes her subsequent step up in her darting profession, with the Scotsman backing her to point out simply what she will be able to do at darts’ prime desk.
“She is brilliant, isn’t she? I have pulled out just about every stop that I’ve had in the bag to win that game,” Anderson stated after their latest match. “She’s going to cause so much trouble next year on the circuit. She’s fantastic.
“By far [she is the best female player]. Till any person else comes alongside, however yeah. I’d say that. I do know Fallon (Sherrock) is a superb participant, and Lisa (Ashton), however Beau is a wee bit totally different.”
Greaves for the 2026 Premier League?
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Talking on Love The Darts, Abigail Davies and Chris Murphy talk about whether or not Greaves must be within the dialog for the Premier League
Former world champion Raymond van Barneveld has tipped Greaves for a Premier League spot if she goes on a run within the Worlds at Alexandra Palace, dwell from December 11 on Sky Sports activities.
Greaves stated forward of the Grand Slam of Darts that she ‘would not say no’ to a Premier League spot, though Michael van Gerwen believes – regardless of the 21-year-old’s expertise – that will be too quickly.
“Yeah well Raymond talks a lot of c*** in his life before as well you know, I mean that would be too soon,” Van Gerwen stated.
“Of course she has the talent to do it but first let her adapt to the tour before she’s going to get in the Premier League because the Premier League has killed some people before as well.”
Greaves admits it might be unlikely, saying: “I can’t imagine I would get into the Premier League unless I did have a crazy run [at the Worlds]. But, I mean, I wouldn’t say no.
“Persons are occurring in regards to the Premier League and it being a bit flat and boring. However I all the time find yourself watching it each week, so it might be superb to play in it. I do not assume I would deserve it contemplating of all the opposite gamers that would get in, nevertheless it’s good that individuals say good issues about me – I believe it is useless candy.”
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