A WEEK after becoming only the third woman to win consecutive BDO World Darts Championships, Lisa Ashton will return to the oche at The Lord Raglan pub on Halliwell Road in the Astley Bridge Darts League.

Anyone who watched last Saturday's final would have to concede that Ashton’s local opponents may feel slightly unfortunate to face the world champion in a local league, especially given her recent form.

The Bolton star, however, is keen to get back to normality: “I don’t know who we are playing, but it’ll be nice to get back to the local league. There will be less pressure than at the Lakeside, and it’ll be good to be out with the girls again.”

Saturday’s final win against 20-year-old Fallon Sherrock proved that ladies darts is in great health, with a high calibre of darts thrown by both players during Ashton’s 3 -1 victory.

Ashton is full of praise for her opponent, the youngest ever world finalist who defeated three-time champion Anastasia Dobromyslova to reach the final: “I’ve seen her on the circuit and played her a few times and it is always a good game. She is a future star, and a future world champion.” She adds: “It was an awesome final, and it was brilliant to show that ladies darts is at such a high standard, and just as good as the men’s game.”

After winning a dramatic final in 2014 – her opponent and top-seed Deta Hedman missed several darts to win the match – the Johnson Fold woman said she played much better this time around.

“This year was better than last year's performance, and my form was more consistent," she said.

"I am over the moon with how I played.

“I just kept calm and played every game as it came. I kept playing and it kept getting tougher. It was great to get the second win, the Lakeside is the highest level there is, and to win twice is amazing.”

The next major event on the BDO calendar is the World Trophy at Event City, Manchester, beginning in late February. Ashton hopes that the event taking place close to home will aid her bid for a first triumph after making the 2014 final.

“I am looking forward to it," she said. "It will be on my home turf as it is down the road in Manchester, so I am hoping that the crowd will get behind me like they did at the Lakeside.

“I just want to keep making history with more wins.”