None of you have any idea how difficult it is organising a club shoot with a bunch of reprobates like you lot. (Except perhaps the previous tournament officers…)
Sunday proved to be no exception
First, I let it be known that, as the shoot would be starting at 10.00am, there was no need for the field party to turn up before about 9.15. In spite of this invaluable advice, Kevin was there at dawn closely followed by Neil and Alan, closely followed by several other insomniacs who, not surprisingly, found they had nothing to do; the field had already been set up…
Full of enthusiasm and trepidation, yours truly turns up soon after 9.00am to find a bunch of bored archers demanding coffee and cakes please, as they had been there for several hours.
On a more serious note, although not much more serious. The days shooting started on a note of warning. The forecast had predicted rain moving in towards us by about 4.00pm. As we all know, there is nothing worse than shooting the last end in a downpour, so I encouraged everybody to keep the shoot ticking along. I was delighted and surprised to find my request acted upon. We romped along, completing the longer distance by about mid-day, and were finishing the round by about 3.30. The rain had in fact caught up with us a tad earlier than expected but not seriously enough to cause any complaints. (But just enough for some to use it as an excuse for questionable shooting… (I think that’s excuse no. 23.)
We were quite a small, but select gathering; and it was a shame to see only one junior, but those of us who did come all seemed to enjoy themselves, which is the whole idea.
As most of you know, we have several dedicated longbow archers in the club. Because the club has its own longbow tournament day (NOTE:- 17th September.) the Club Champs is for recurve, barebow and compound archers. Some of those longbowers turned up on Sunday and joined the rest of us, well aware they wouldn’t be winning any awards, but equally aware they would be the target of banter and mirth. I like their attitude.!
Carol and Pauline excelled themselves, producing a splendid tea after the shoot. Very many thanks.
Also, thanks to John, the numbers man, who worked out the handicap results and helped with the results.
I am obliged to thank the field party who waved their magic wand by creating and then disappearing the targets. (Some dodgy English there…)
Well done everybody who turned up. Now, at last, I can put that damn recurve back in the roof for another year….!
NEXT SHOOTS:-
Club Longbow Day. 17th Sept.
The Sam Fowler memorial shoot. 8th October.
Results:-
| 1st lady Recurve Champion | Julie Morling |
| 1st Gent Recurve Champion | Andy Clark |
| 2nd Gent Recurve | Kevin Jones |
| 3rd Gent Recurve | Gary Martin |
| 1st Lady Barebow Champion | Sue Cook |
| 1st Gent Barebow Champion | Tim Griffiths |
| 2nd Gent Barebow | Chris Roberts |
| 3rd Gent Barebow | John O’Keeffe |
| Highest Adjusted Score (Handicap) | Kevin Jones |
| Most Golds unrewarded | Peter King |
| Gehler Greening Trophy (most 3’s) | Tim Griffiths |
| Best Score Mid-distance | Gary Martin |
| Best Gold | Julie Morling |
| Worst White | Chris Roberts |