A Leeds Met member of staff joined his team 'The Yorkshire Meds' on the world marbles stage to defend their World Marble Championship and claim the title for another year.

Bob Croft, a learning technologist with the Faculty of Arts & Society, together with Leila Kara, a Leeds Met MSc Software Development graduate, travelled down to The Greyhound Pub, Tinsley Green, which has hosted the championships on Good Friday since 1932.

Joining Bob and Leila in 'The Yorkshire Meds' were, Akil Tata, Aziz Kara, Mourad Kara and Halim Tata.

They travelled south to take on the cream of the world's marble playing talent as they defended their titles in what was a highly competitive tournament.

The team made it through to the final to vanquish another British team, the Handcross 49ers.

Most high-pressure sporting contests involve a degree of psychology, and marbles is no different, as Bob explained: "On the eve of last year's event, Halim had pre-competition nerves. I tried visualisation techniques I had learnt on TV sport and from listening to Paul McKenna tapes.

"I encouraged Halim to visualise his approach to the ring like Ronnie O'Sullivan making a snooker break. Halim began imagining he was Ronnie. Next day, we began the competition and Halim told me the technique was working."