FALLON DREAM IS OVER
Sherrock exits but her impact on the sport will be long-lasting
THE Fallon Angel of Alexandra Palace is finally the fallen angel.
But despite crashing to a 4-2 defeat from Chris Dobey in the third round of the PDC World Championship, the books will show Fallon Sherrock’s historic run gave hope to every woman who ever dreamed of a career in darts.
Sherrock was greeted by proposals of marriage on placards in the crowd – one from a bloke dressed as a nun – while another even offered to do her ironing.
Among the fancy dress corps, there were fans who dressed up in pink tops and black-rimmed glasses in the 25-year-old’s honour.
And to the punters who serenaded her with “Walking in a Sherrock Wonderland” she will always be the first lady of Muswell Hill.
When the fairytale was over, Sherrock was as gracious in defeat as she had been a rhapsody of giggles when she beat Ted Evetts and Mensur Suljovic, the first wins by a woman against men at this tournament.
She said: “This is probably the best experience I’ve ever had. It’s changed my life and the dream is to come back here next year.
“I felt so comfortable up on that stage. For some reason, my game seems to reach another level here but I don’t know why.
“I did see some people in the crowd dressed up as me and I thought, ‘Oh, I’ve got some fans now’. But come on, nobody dresses up like me!
“I’ve never had anyone ask me to marry them so I don’t really know where to go with that. I’m too young to get married anyway!”
Next stop for the Queen of the Palace is the BDO Women’s World Championship in the new year and she’ll try to win a PDC Tour card at Q school next month.
She’ll also take a treasure trove of memories into 2020 – including a brave, blustering display against “Hollywood” Dobey. When Sherrock unfurled three 180 maximums in the first two legs and took the opening set, the roof nearly blew off Ally Pally.
She reeled off finishes of 142, 104 and 124 like shelling peas and for half the contest she matched Dobey arrow for arrow.
Only when the Geordie went 3-2 up – the first time he’d led in the entire match – could he relax as his heavier scoring drained Sherrock’s resistance.
But the lady in pink has given us a glorious glimpse of the future and Dobey – always a reluctant grinch but a good sport – said: “Am I glad it’s all over? No, I loved it up there.
“I don’t mind playing games like that as long as I get over the line. I never normally use them but I was wearing ear plugs because I was never going to shut up 3000 people.
“Fallon deserves all the credit. She is a history-maker and look what she has done for women’s darts.”
Tennis legend Billie Jean King, an enthusiastic supporter of Sherrock, registered her admiration on Twitter.
The six-times Wimbledon champ said: “While her run at the #WorldDartsChampionship is over, @Fsherrock has inspired millions.
“Her talent & grace under pressure will take her far. She is the 1st woman in history to win matches in the championship & I look forward to following her career for years to come.”
In the last 16, Dobey will tonight meet three-time world champion Glen Durrant, a 4-2 winner over Daryl Gurney.
Asked what it was like to be part of a game that attracted more women to darts, Dobey said: “I thought they were here because I was playing!”
This has changed my life and the dream is to come back next year
FALLON SHERROCK