Marbles championship, Tinsley Green, Surrey-Sussex border

The Referee Checks up: Official Referee Bob Scott checks up on the marbles in the centre of the championship ring before the start. 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 centre 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 Armada Augustus Capthorne Checks Compete Competed Coveted Dates Dusted Enthusiasts Forty Hoping Liberally Marbles Maynard Oldest Placed Practising Repeat Rink Rules Spitfires Teams Threat Tinsley Tolley Tolleys Youths

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