Germans lose their marbles crown

Competitors at the annual World Marble Championships celebrated long into the evening after a British team beat the Germans for the first time in years.

The Yorkshire Meds took the silver trophy from reigning champions, 1st MC Erzgebirge II at the tournament in Tinsley Green, West Sussex.

The competition, which has been held at the pub since 1932, attracts competitors from as far afield as Australia and hundreds of spectators. German teams had won for several years, with a break of one year in 2005.



A total of 21 teams, ranging in age from 11 to 70 took part, including three from Germany.

"It was very good to see the Germans beaten for once," said landlord of the Greyhound Inn, Dennis Baxindale.

He said most were pub teams, and the winners were "very big drinkers".