West Midlands kicking on after promotion
The West Midlands are up to second in the early table after promotion after making it back-to-back wins with victory at Gwent.
The county darters came out on top in three of the four groupings over a weekend of ties after making the trip to south-east Wales,
The result built on their home success over Cleveland, after opening their campaign with defeat away to Hampshire.
Play began for two days in the BDO British Inter-Counties Championship Division One, with last season's Division Two runners-up the visitors.
The women's B teams were the first to the oche, with the West Midlands dropping just one game as they prevailed 5-1.
Claire Hobbs led the way for the away side, top scoring with an average of 18.56 in a 3-0 whitewash of Ceri Stephens (18.35).
Sue Bailey got the reply for Gwent, racking up 17.28 in a 3-0 landslide over Kirsty Shaughnessy (15.79).
The West Midlands surged further ahead through their exploits in the men's B affairs, where they romped to a 9-3 advantage.
Paul Wells caught the eye for the victors, gleaning 26.19 from a 3-1 verdict over Michael George (22.24).
Craig Lloyd mustered the best response for well-beaten Gwent, with 25.05 in a 3-0 shut-out of John Mycock (23.62)
The West Midlands held their position with a 3-3 draw in the women's A clashes, leaving Gwent with an insurmountable struggle.
Gemma Barrett opened in style for the guests, with 23.10 in a 3-0 drubbing of Amanda Rosser (21.06).
The hosts' Chris Savvery (24.24) had to be on top of her game to defeat Sarah Roberts (25.80), after a last leg battle which she won 3-2.
Gwent tried to battle in the men's A finale to turn around their 10-point deficit but, instead, went down 7-5. Play was upgraded to a best-of-seven legs format.
The West Midlands' Nick Fullwell raced to the highest winning average of the weekend, with 28.97 in a 4-2 vanquishing of Craig Gilchrist (28.23)
Nick Kenny achieved Gwent's top score in a 4-3 tussle, with 27.48 as he saw off Michael Baker (23.15).
The home line-up's Jesse Neal got 28.24 and still lost 4-3 to Gary Watts (26.75), in what the highest losing average of the match.
The West Midlands got over the line 24-12, the final result 27-12 counting three extra points for the winning county who are hot on the heels of leaders Hampshire.
They next welcome Cornwall to their base of Gilberts Bar in Willenhall, for action on the weekend of November 26-27.
