Fallon Sherrock was tickled pink on a memorable night for girl power and the darts sisterhood at Ally Pally.
In an historic battle of the sexes, Sherrock didn’t just win the hearts and minds of a thirsty crowd high on a hill over north London.
Her 3-2 win against Ted Evetts was the first time a woman has beaten a bloke at the William Hill PDC World Championship.
And when the mother of five-year-old son Rory snaps out of a wonderful daydream, she will find her name in the history books.
Supermum 3, Super Ted 2.
Just 48 hours earlier, Mikuru Suzuki had been a gallant runner-up against James Richardson.
But last night Sherrock, 25, from Milton Keynes, the land of concrete cows, was the dairy maid of honour.
She even outgunned Evetts 6-4 in maximums. And when the former Lakeside ladies finalist nailed double 18 for the match, she broke out into laughter.
She said: “I feel really happy because I proved that we can play with the men and beat them.
“This is a step in the right direction for our sport and I just can’t believe it – I’m speechless, I don’t know what to say.
“I loved every minute of it, from the moment I walked on to the last dart, and it’s definitely one of the greatest moments of my life.”
Sherrock faces world No.11 Mensur Suljovic in the second round and she added: “The fact that I’ve got to play one of the best players in the world next makes it even better.
“It’s amazing to think I’ve just made history. I can’t believe it.”
Sherrock was only edged out of the first set after decorating it with a 106 finish, while in the second she averaged 100.58 – and as much as he smiled politely at the crowd’s partisan support, Super Ted did not enjoy it one jot.
When Sherrock took out another century checkout to go ahead in the contest for the first time, the sisterhood dared to dream.
Don’t accuse Evetts of taking chivalry too far and laying his jacket in a puddle to stop Sherrock from getting her feet wet.
The world No.95 brought his ‘A’ game to the party. He played well enough, but Sherrock matched him arrow for arrow – until she missed four darts to go 2-1 up.
But if Evetts thought he had broken Sherrock’s resistance, he was sorely mistaken.
