Marbles championship, Tinsley Green, Surrey-Sussex border

Feb. 29 The Championship Family: Members of the Capthorne Spitfires team who won the championship in 1952 will be defending their title this Easter. On right is 80-year-old Pop Maynard, known as The King of Marbles'. With him are three sons Perry, 46, Arthur, 51 and George, 50. Sitting below the balcony of The Greyhound, they watch the game closely. The Tolley Men of Tinsley Green: Once again the marble champions are practising hard for the annual National Championship to be played on Good Friday at Tinsley Green on the Surrey-Sussex border. Marbles is one of the world's oldest sports. It was played by the Roman Emperor Augustus. The Tinsley Green match dates back to the days of the Spanish Armada Threat when two local youths competed for the hand of the village beauty on Good Friday. Teams of six a side compete on a six-foot circular rink dusted liberally over with rough sand. Forty nine clay marbles are placed in the center of the ring and one at a time the players shoot at them with glass tolleys'. The championships are held under the rules of the British Marbles Control Board whose HQ is at Tinsley Green. Last year's winners were the Capthorne Spitfires team led by 80-year-old Pop Maynard who has three of his sons in the team. They are hoping to repeat their victory in Coronation Year. Marbles enthusiasts come from all parts of the country to watch the Tolley men of Tinsley compete for the Coveted Championship

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80-year-old Armada Augustus Capthorne Closely Compete Competed Coveted Dates Defending Dusted Enthusiasts Forty Greyhound Hoping Liberally Marbles Maynard Oldest Placed Practising Repeat Rink Rules Spitfires Teams Threat Tinsley Tolley Tolleys Year-old Youths

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