World Conker Champ shares his secrets to success

The reigning World Conker Champion has revealed the secrets behind his success as he prepares to defend his title.

Matt Cross, from Bourne in Lincolnshire, said a combination of running, hog roasts and pints of beer have helped him stay at the top of his game ahead of Sunday's competition in Northamptonshire.

The champion said he hoped to be the first person to win the title back-to-back since 1976.

"If I can get out there on the day and win it again, it'll be brilliant," he said.

The tournament sees participants go head-to-head using conkers threaded onto a string to try to smash their opponent's horse chestnut.

Each bout consists of players taking three alternate strikes at their opponent's conker.

As part of his training regime, Cross said he runs a couple of times each week, but steers clear of weight training, insisting strength has never been a problem when it comes to his conker-striking arm.

On competition day Cross fuels up with a full English breakfast and said a mid- competition hog roast bap and pint of beer kept him going.

"If I win it again this year, it will be the first time since 1976 there's been a back-to-back winner so that's one of the things I'm trying to achieve," he said.

Cross said he worried about finding conkers for the competition due to the hot weather this year, but the committee confirmed it had a "sufficient amount of large playing conkers" for the event to go ahead.

Cross was crowned the overall World Conker Champion last year after beating women's victor Mags Blake, of Corby.

When asked about recognition since his victory, Cross joked: "It's not been too bad, it certainly petered off after Christmas.

"But to get recognised in a pub, that was probably the strangest thing."

The health and safety advisor said people at work call him "King Conker".

"It is quite funny," he added. "It makes me laugh every time that people are invested."

Fancy your hand at becoming a world champ? Here are Cross' top three tips:

• Make sure you have got the right length of string. A minimum distance of no less than 8in (20cm) of lace must be between knuckle and nut for both striking and receiving players.
• Accuracy plays a huge part. You need to make sure you are hitting the conker every time.
• After you have got the accuracy nailed down, power should be the focus. You need to use force to break the conkers.

In previous years, the championship has attracted entrants from Japan, Australia, Canada, Mexico and Sri Lanka.

The competition will be held at the Shuckburgh Arms in Southwick on Sunday.

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