SHERROCK N ROLL
FALLON SHERROCK wrote her name into the sporting record books tonight as she became the first woman to beat a man at a world darts championships.
In one of the great moments in women’s sport, Super Mum beat Super Ted amid dramatic scenes at the Ally Pally Battle of the Sexes.
9
9
Bucks star Sherrock, 25, showed great bottle to produce the performance of her life to win 3-2 against Ted Evetts in the first round of the William Hill PDC World Darts Championships.
Where Bolton’s Lisa Ashton, Russian Anastasia Dobromyslova, Canadian Gayl King and Japan's Mikuru Suzuki had failed in the past, Sherrock now stands alone.
An emotional Sherrock said: “Thank you everybody. Oh my God! I am happy I made something for women’s darts, I proved we can play and beat the men.
"Fingers crossed, it puts us in the right direction. I am on the moon. And on the biggest stage there is.
“I loved every minute of it. I am so happy I can continue in the tournament.
"It is one of my greatest moments. Thank you for the support. I really appreciate it.
“The fact I have to play one of the best in the world next [Mensur Suljovic] that is such an achievement.
"The fact I have made history, I have made a great achievement for ladies' darts.”
9
9
9
Five years ago Sherrock’s world was rocked by news she had developed a serious kidney problem, just months after giving birth to son Rory.
And to make matters even worse, she was trolled on the internet when her face swelled up as a result of side-effect from the medication she took.
Sherrock said: “About six months after I had my little boy in April 2014, I ended up getting a kidney disease.
“I started to feel unwell. I didn’t know what was going on until I was diagnosed.
“It was a worrying time. I started taking medication to weaken my immune system because that is what was attacking my kidneys.
“The problem was when I went on different medication, I suffered side effects.
“And the side effects caused ‘moon face’, where my face swelled up. It was a reaction.
most read in sport
“When I played in the BDO worlds on TV, I received a lot of criticism for how I looked.
“If I saw negative comments I tried to look past them.
“I’m not going to dwell on what someone has said if it doesn’t affect my life.
“I think that attitude helps to strengthen my character.”
Gradually, as the medication started to work and her facial swelling reduced, Sherrock gained some functionality in her kidneys again.
The 25-year-old says she is a lot healthier now.
Sherrock said: “When I play on stage, I have to drink a glass of water. I’m constantly drinking a lot of water to flush my kidneys out. That helps my body.”
9
9
She made history on Monday night with a nerveless display.
During her walk-on, the noise from the boozed-up punters was deafening, prompting Supermum Sherrock to mutter: "Oh my God!"
Normally she is used to dead silence with the BDO discouraging anyone from speaking or singing while players throw.
If there were any nerves, then Sherrock did not exactly show them in the first set.
She scored a 91.48 average, hit a 180 in the second leg and took out a 106 checkout in brilliant style.
Compared to women’s world champion Mikuru Suzuki, this was a much quicker, more promising start, especially as the Japanese star took until the third set before hitting a maximum against James Richardson on Sunday.
Inevitably the audience were straight on the back of Super Ted, booing and jeering every shot he had, trying desperately to put him off.
To his credit, Evetts did not let it affect his forehand, playing nice and steady and missing just one double as he went 1-0 up.
In the second set, Sherrock had everybody up on their feet after hitting six Treble 20s in a row, prompting hope of a historic nine-darter.
The heat was now getting to Evetts, who had two bounceouts, and Sherrock piled on the pressure as she hit 80 to draw level at 1-1 with a 100.58 average.
Magnanimous Evetts said: "I cannot take anything away from her. As disappointed as I am, well done to Fallon, she deserves all the praise she gets.
"Even in my good patches, she was keeping up with me. She was utter class. It never helps with that crowd behind you. But I cannot use that as an excuse. It comes down to my own bottle. Nothing else. I am on the wrong side of history tonight."
9
9
Sherrock took the lead for the first time in the match when she broke Evetts with a finish of 100.
She put herself in position to win the third set but missed FOUR set darts that would have given her a shot at glory.
Admirably, she quickly put that frustration behind her to take the fourth set.
She made it a memorable night for the sisterhood in the fifth set as she won her place in the second round with a double 18.