It was Paige Pauling who ultimately lifted the England Classic Girls title after a superb display of composure and consistency, defeating Abbi Ettridge 5–1 in the final. Pauling dominated from the group stage onwards, combining heavy scoring with steady finishing throughout. In Group A, she set the tone early, producing a series of commanding performances including a 3–1 win over Olivia Heaton, a 3–1 victory over Tiffany Cross, and a stunning 3–0 win against Erin O’Sullivan, posting some of the day’s highest averages.
Pauling carried that form into the knockout rounds, sweeping aside Lexi Rooksby 3–0 in the quarter-finals before delivering a clinical 4–0 semi-final victory over Macy Gibbons. In the final, she was simply relentless, firing in a 63.30 average as she powered past Abbi Ettridge, who had fought brilliantly to reach the decider.
Ettridge’s run to the final was nothing short of inspiring. After a strong showing in Group D — where she overcame Neve Turner, Maya Day, and Kacie O’Connor, and even pushed Gibbons to a deciding leg — she advanced to the knockouts full of confidence. A hard-fought 3–2 win over Isabelle Cochrane in the quarter-finals showcased her fighting spirit, and her semi-final clash with Olivia Heaton was one of the tournament’s standout encounters. Ettridge edged it 4–3 after seven tense legs, showing impressive nerve under pressure to book her place in the final.
Meanwhile, Olivia Heaton also made a major impact throughout the event. In Group A, she demonstrated consistency and quality, with wins over Erin O’Sullivan, Isla Turner, and Tiffany Cross — including a particularly solid 3–0 victory over Cross that underlined her scoring power. Advancing through to the knockout stages, Heaton maintained that standard, dispatching Taylor Field 3–0 in the quarter-finals before falling narrowly short against Ettridge in a thrilling semi-final decided in the final leg. Her performances were a clear statement that she will be a serious contender in the seasons ahead.
Elsewhere, Macy Gibbons impressed with a string of steady displays, topping Group D alongside Ettridge and reaching the last four before running into an in-form Pauling. Isabelle Cochrane also stood out in Group B, battling through a competitive section that featured Lucy Shepherd, Ruby Grey, and Natalie Baxter, while Lexi Rooksby’s sharp finishing helped her top Group C.
From the first dart of the group stage to the final checkout, the England Classic Girls event captured the spirit of the sport — competitive yet encouraging, fierce but full of respect.
Congratulations to Paige Pauling, the 2025 England Classic Girls Champion, on a dominant and deserved victory. Recognition also goes to Abbi Ettridge and Olivia Heaton, who both delivered outstanding performances in an event that promises an exciting future for women’s darts in England.
