Daryl Gurney bowed down to Beau Greaves in a touching gesture after he narrowly defeated the 21-year-old at the World Darts Championship. The rising star fell just short of becoming the second female player to win a match at Ally Pally as she took Gurney to a deciding set, before narrowly losing out.

Gurney beat Greaves 3-2 to advance to the second round at Ally Pally and made sure the crowd gave the young female darts star her flowers. He lifted her hand up towards the crowd before bowing at her feet as the pair embraced following their tough first-round match. Speaking post-win, Gurney said: "For me, she is the best female darts player on the planet.

"If there's going to be a darts player that can win the World Championship or any majors, that's the player you want to look to. What a player.

"Everybody said she was favourite going into the game, but I showed my class and composure and got over the finish line. Next year, she's going to be a force to be reckoned with. She's going to win some PDC tournaments."

Many thought Greaves might spring a relative surprise in north London following a successful 2025 campaign. And they were almost right as she pushed the multiple major winner all the way, averaging over 91, hitting seven 180s and winning more legs than Superchin, even if he triumphed courtesy of the set play format.

Gurney's gesture to Greaves highlights just how well-thought of the young star is and the potential she has to impress at Ally Pally in the future. Before her defeat to Superchin, the 21-year-old admitted she is ready to take the leap in becoming more competitive in the sport.

Speaking to the Guardian, Greaves said: "I've changed my perspective on it. When I first started playing, I just wanted to be a ladies' world champion. But I started beating better players, and the penny dropped: I can be good enough to do this full-time.

"In the nicest way possible, when I play against the ladies now I can get away with a lot more. If I miss a double, I might have another three or six darts at it. So I need to really nail that part of my game. That's what I've tried to focus on: to make myself as competitive as possible."