Express & Star

West Midlands back on top of the table

The West Midlands are back on top of the BDO British Inter-Counties Championship Division Two with the previous league leaders out of action.

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London were due to visit Staffordshire last weekend but the fixture has been put back a week and will start on Saturday, writes Craig Birch.

And the West Midlands capitalised by seeing off visiting Worcestershire 22-17 at their home venue of Gilberts Bar in Willenhall.

They now await with interest London's result, before resuming their campaign away to Suffolk on the weekend commencing February 6.

The county darters got back to winning ways on their home turf and made it four victories in five, defeat in Berkshire their only blip so far.

All but the final game were last leg deciders in the ladies B affairs with Jenny Place's verdict, averaging 17.18 for Worcestershire against Heather Wright (16.96), taking it to the last tie.

But Sophie Singh secured a 4-2 success for the team, top scoring with 19.29 in a 3-1 downing of Lynne Arnold (17.19).

Honours were even in the women's A standings, the two teams playing out a 3-3 draw. Singh was again to the rescue at the last, racking up 18.58 in a 3-2 result over Kim Jones (18.73).

The hosts were further on top from the men's B clashes, running out 7-5 winners with proceedings again resting on the final game.

Anthony Butler had aided Worcestershire's fightback with 26.37 in a 3-0 whitewash of Robert Smith (21.19), but Neil Pointon (22.94) settled matters with a 3-1 victory over Nick Evans (20.10).

Ash Khayat recorded the highest average of the weekend for the West Midlands, racking up 28.58 in a 3-1 success over Mark Luscott.

Match victory was complete after another 7-5 verdict in the men's A, despite James Hurrell's 29.00 in an opening 4-1 win over Lewis Venes (21.21) for Worcestershire.

They still needed the last game, though, with Gavin Baker (26.79) nudging them over the line courtesy of a 4-1 vanquishing of Mark Jones (24.34)

Mark Craddock (27.96), Matthew Dicken (27.33) and Sam Hamilton (27.78) all registered higher averages in defeat, while Michael Baker had 27.17 in a 4-3 win over Terry Webster (25.91).

The West Midlands finished on top 19-17, with an three extra points for the winning side.

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