A small group of Archers met on Sunday to attempt to shoot the first National round of the season. The previous two weeks had been lost to bad weather and so in spite of a steady drizzle the decision was taken to shoot. The men shot a York Round (6 dozen arrows at 100yds, 4 dozen at 80yds and 2 dozen at 60yds). The ladies shot a Hereford round, which comprises the same split of arrows but at 80, 60 and 50yds. The rain kept up all morning but temperatures were high and there was little wind.

The Gent’s Compound division saw a straight shoot off between father and son Dave and Rhys Moore. Rhys has had the upper hand recently and continued his run of form by adding 62 points to his personal best for the round. However this was not good enough, as Dave led from start to finish.

Guest archer Anne Rutland joined Joy Gough in the Ladies Compound division. Anne only stayed for the morning and shot a Long National round but it was lovely to see her at the club again. Joy shot well and was on to break her pb until a mishap late into the second distance caused her to miss.

Danny Cowin was the lone Gents Recurver to shoot the York and his improving form showed as he added a jaw dropping 190 points to his pb for the round.

Barbara Harris was the only Lady Recurver to shoot the round of the day and surprised herself after a dreadful season by adding 98 to her pb for Hereford and breaking the 1000 point barrier for the first time.

Junior Josh Trafford also shot the Hereford which is designated as a Bristol I for male archers. Josh added 76 points to the pb he had set at Junior National Outdoor Championships and was pleased with his continued improvement.

The weather brightened up over the lunch break and the juniors who came down in the afternoon got the best of the day. The Juniors shot a Short Junior National, that is 4 dozen arrows at 30yds and 2 dozen at 20yds. Jacob Brookes shooting the round for the first time set an excellent benchmark for himself, while Toby Young added 34 points to his personal best score.

Charlotte Harris continued to train at 60m ahead of her appearance at the Junior Commonwealth Games in Samoa in September.

Results:- York – Gents Compound 1. Dave Moore 144/1200/111, 2. Rhys Moore 144/1160/84pb. Gents Recurve – Danny Cowin 141/854/25pb. Ladies Compound Hereford – Joy Gough 143/1185/98. Long National – Anne Rutland 72/606/55. Ladies Recurve Hereford – Barbara Harris 143/1013/45pb. Junior Gents Recurve: Bristol I – Josh Trafford 144/1050/53pb. Short Junior National – 1. Toby Young 72/514/27pb, 2. Jacob Brookes 71/404/10.