DETA Hedman will be hoping to forget about the disappointment of her World Championship final defeat when she returns to the oche for Oxfordshire this weekend in the BDO Inter-Counties Championship.

The 54-year-old world No 1 suffered a heartbreaking 3-2 reverse against Lancashire’s Lisa Ashton at Lakeside after looking a certain winner.

The Essex-based ‘Dark Dest-royer’ had led 2-0 and was 2-1 up in the third set when Ashton produced a stirring comeback to claim the title 3-2.

The world crown is the one honour missing from Hedman’s CV and she has now lost two world finals in three years.

She found it hard to explain her defeat straight afterwards, but vowed: “I’ll keep going.”

Oxfordshire could not have a tougher task when they resume their BDO Inter-Counties League Premier Division campaign at home to Yorkshire.

The table-toppers include no fewer than seven players who were in action at Lakeside, including Martin Atkins, Gary Thomson, James Wilson and former world champions Scott Waites and John ‘Boy’ Walton.

Their ladies team feature Lorraine Farlam, beaten by Hedman in the quarter-finals, and Rachel Brooks. For Oxon, Paddy Kearns returns to the men’s A side, with Geordie Grant making his debut in the B team. Nicola Curzon returns to the ladies B, with Laura Ross coming into the squad. The match is on Saturday and Sunday at the Ex-Services and Bicester Families Social Club in Sheep Street, Bicester.

Play starts at 11am and the entry fee of £4 covers both days. OXON LINE-UPS.

Men’s A: N Cobb, S Holley, J Jukes, P Krabben, P Kearns (Windrush Club), A Larner (Witney Trophy Centre), E Lilly, D Lockyer, K Lowe, J McCarthy, J Newland, A Thomas (ACG Labels). Men’s B: A Barrett (Oxford Blue Print), G Grant, D Hammond (Blue & Green Marine), B Kearns (Doggy Styles Dog Grooming), J Mulley, J Palmer (Blacks Head), L Radford, S Robinson, L Russell, N Russell (Roots of Oxford), A Stevens (Corner House), S Tricker.

Ladies A: C Bywaters (TD Travel Minibus Hire), S Cox, C Gallagher, D Hedman (Oxfordshire Executive Chauffeurs), J New-man (Duke of Cumberland’s Head), R Rose (KFC). Ladies B: Cali Birch, T Borton, S Castle (KFC), N Curzon (Witney Trophy Centre), K Hill, K Ledbury.