A North-East duo are sweeping all before them in dominoes.

Darlington pair, Steve Smith and Colin Stainsby, won the John Smiths Smooth National CIU Final for the second year running - the only time the title has been retained.

They had to win six regional games before qualifying for the final which took place at Elland, near Halifax, last month. They beat a pair from Batley, west Yorkshire, 11-8 in the semi-final. The final was later the same day and victory was claimed 11-6 against a Nottinghamshire team.

The duo are members of the Darlington Club and Institute, and next month Smith and Stainsby will defend their National Fives and Threes title in Doncaster against a Surrey pair. If successful the duo will also become the first to have defended that trophy.

Doug Hesseltine, secretary of the club said the pair's success is a source of great pride to the North Road club, and believes they stand a great chance of retaining their Fives and Threes title.

He said: "I'd gamble more money that they'll win the Fives and Threes final than I would've bet on them to win the dominoes final.

"Their achievement has never been done before, as far as anyone knows, so it's great for the club. They get to keep the trophy if they win the competition three years out of five."