Paul,

Yes, I suppose for the example she gives that should work. If the names changes as she indicates, then with this case not so well:

Tom Smith blah, blah
Tom Taylor blah, blah
Tom Taylor blah, blah
Tom Taylor blah, blah
Tom Smith blah, blah
Tom Taylor blah, blah
Tom Smith blah, blah

I'm not completely clear on what your expression is actually doing so can't suggest how or even guess if it could be adapted to for cases when the first word is identical but not problematic as in this case.