Hedman ready to banish her heartache at the Lakeside

Deta Hedman is determined to get rid of her so-called fear of the Lakeside stage when she competes in the World Trophy this weekend.

The Dark Destroyer returns to the Frimley Green venue in a rich vein of form having won five BDO ranking titles on the spin in the ladies circuit.

Hedman’s current hot streak has seen her reclaim number one spot in the rankings and now she is aiming to dispel any demons she may have on the Lakeside stage by winning the World Trophy.

“I love to win any title but winning the World Trophy would be a great boost for me,” the Jamaican-born thrower said.

“It would be great to win a singles final at Lakeside. People say I have a fear of playing there but they are forgetting I have got to three finals there.

“It would be amazing to walk off that famous stage on Monday night with the trophy, but I think 15 other ladies will have something to say about that.”

Hedman is currently enjoying one of her best runs in the BDO since coming out of retirement in 2009, with victories in the Winmau Poland Open and Masters at the weekend following on from success in Wales and Denmark.

“I always do well this time of year in February to May and this is one of my best runs in the BDO,” she said. “I’m especially proud of the double header win in Denmark.

“People say I have a fear of playing there but they forget I’ve been in three finals”

“Lisa (Ashton), Anastasia (Dobromyslova), Aileen (de Graaf), Lorraine (Winstanley) and Fallon (Sherrock) were all there.

“I love competing so much and I enjoy every season. I’m very fortunate in that my partner Paul (James) books everything for me and arranges my diary. All I have to do is throw darts.”

Hedman begins her quest for a sixth title in a row on Sunday, when she faces Denmark’s Ann-Louise Peters in the last 16.

“Ann-Louise brings a fun element to the game,” Hedman said. “She is fiercely determined but she enjoys herself.

“I first played her when she was 17 and known as Ann-Louise Andersen at the time.

“She beat me in the final of the Norway Open. She will be a difficult opponent to beat.”