Gilbert Grabs Women’s Series Success
Natalie Gilbert became the 10th different winner on the PDC Women’s Series after beating former Winmau World Masters winner Lorraine Winstanley 5-3 in the Final of Event 24.
The 2022 British Internationals Women’s winner moves into a provisional spot for next year’s Women’s World Matchplay, claiming £2000 in prize money at Robin Park Tennis Centre in Wigan.
Natalie’s rise in darts is an inspirational one, starting to play after suffering a stroke over a decade ago. The Red Dragon player is now the 9th best player on the Women’s Series Order of Merit, earning £4700 this year whilst also reaching the Final of Women’s Championship Tour Event 5 on the ADC Circuit.
Gilbert will look to continue her strong form next year on the PDC Women’s Series, as the race for the Women’s World Matchplay and a spot at the Winter Gardens is on.
The 40-year-old opened her campaign with a whitewash 4-0 victory over Astrid Trouwborst before clinching a last leg decider in the Second Round, beating the Republic of Ireland’s Adrianna van Wijgerden-Vermaat 4-3 to advance to the Last 32.
Natalie went on to beat former 3 Time BDO World Champion Anastasia Dobromyslova 4-1 in the Last 32, before producing her best average of 81.24 to beat WDF Girls World Champion Eleanor Cairns 4-0 and reach the Quarter Finals.
After a long weekend with four events played on the PDC Women’s Series, no signs of fatigue were showing from the Red Dragon player after beating Dutch international Noa-Lynn van Leuven 5-3 in the Last 8 in Wigan.
The 40-year-old was pushed all the way in her Semi Final with WDF World Championship Finalist Kirsty Hutchinson, who despite defeat averaged 4 points higher over the nine legs played.
However, after surviving a missed match dart at double tops from her opponent, Gilbert fired in a nerveless 90 finish to secure her place in the Event 24 Final, hitting double 5 with her last dart in hand to set up a clash with Lorraine Winstanley.
The Buxton born player came through the other side of the draw in Wigan, beating Women’s World Matchplay winner Beau Greaves 5-3 in the Semi Finals.
Natalie found double 5 once again with her fourth match dart, becoming the latest name to win on the PDC Women’s Series, beating Winstanley 5-3 in the Final of Event 24 with a 74.61 average.
The PDC Women’s Series will return in 2024 after Natalie Gilbert won the last event of 2023, as more competitions will be held to determine qualification places at the World Championship, Women’s World Matchplay and the Grand Slam of Darts, with Fallon Sherrock securing qualification for the Grand Slam and Ally Pally with success in Women’s Series Event 23.
By Harry Masterson
PDC Women’s Series Event 24 Results:
Quarter Finals:
Kirsty Hutchinson 5-3 Robyn Byrne
Natalie Gilbert 5-3 Noa-Lynn van Leuven
Beau Greaves 5-2 Vicky Pruim
Lorraine Winstanley 5-2 Casey Gallagher
Semi Finals:
Natalie Gilbert 5-4 Kirsty Hutchinson
Lorraine Winstanley 5-3 Beau Greaves
Final:
Natalie Gilbert 5-3 Lorraine Winstanley
