Cambridge professor, 61, retains world tiddlywinks title after a SEVEN-HOUR pub match against an American nicknamed 'the Dragon'

Prof Patrick Barrie edged Dave Lockwood 26-23 at the Castle Inn in Cambridge on Thursday to keep his crown. Lockwood, a veteran player from just outside Washington DC, earned his shot as a national singles winner. Barrie, a chemical engineering academic, likened the format to 'a boxing world title'. He called victory 'a curious mixture of elation and relief'.

The modern game was born among Cambridge undergraduates at Christ's College in 1955.

Barrie on his old rival: 'I had to do my best to make sure it wasn't his day.'

He says the shots take six months to learn, but knowing when to play them takes years.