The IoM Archery Club was in action both on and off the island at the weekend. Thirteen archers travelled to the Wigan and Orrell shoot at their new venue in Preston, while eight club members turned out at Onchan – everyone shot a Portsmouth round.

At Preston, the competition was delayed by a fatal road traffic accident which closed the M6 and left several archers and scorers stuck in the tail-back. This did nothing for the nerves of those who had already turned up, among them Charlotte Harris and Josh Trafford who were competing at the Junior level for last time as both turn 18 later this year. Orrell was Charlotte’s first ever competition back in 2010 and she won it at the first attempt. Although she has gone on to greater things, including representing the Isle of Man at the Junior Commonwealth Games in Samoa, Charlotte has a soft spot for Orrell as she has won the Junior Ladies Trophy every year since 2012. For Josh Trafford, who was nudged down into second place in 2016, it was his last chance to get his hands on the Junior Gents Trophy. Both had a slow start but found their rhythm eventually. The scores they recorded were a little below their best and Charlotte had come into the tournament having only shot four times during the Indoor Season. There were then several nerve-wracking hours to wait while the afternoon detail shot and the scores were scrutinized. However the wait was worth it as both Juniors realized their ambition and picked up a winner’s Trophy each. Jacob Brookes managed to hang on to his nerves and his breakfast to shoot a pb.

Aaron Pannell-Cottier, Joseph Reaney and Toby Young shot well but not quite up to their best. Tilly Ashton, who is on the Archery GB Talent Identification Programme, had to put in a morning’s intensive training before shooting in the afternoon detail  and unfortunately ran out of steam part way through the competition. All the Juniors were a credit to the Club.

On the adult side Joy Gough and Pete Mumford tied for the Veteran’s Trophy but as this hadn’t been returned from the previous year they only had their medals to bring home. Joy Gough’s season’s best score also put her in first place for the Ladies Compound Trophy which was available for presentation, as Joy had just returned it on behalf of fellow club member Sarah Rigby who won it in 2016.

Dave Daugherty was delighted to add 20 points to his pb for the round in what was his first ever competition. Billy Lightfoot was a little disappointed with his performance but a heavy workload had restricted his Indoor season and practise time had been hard to come by.

At home, father and son Dave and Rhys Moore managed a tie in the Gents Compound. Danny Cowin put in a decent score to take the win in the Gents Recurve.  James Hill brought his greater experience to bear to take the win over older brother Blayne in the Junior Gents Recurve division.

Results Onchan Portsmouth – Gents Compound – =1. Dave and Rhys Moore 60/579/39, 3. Dave Ryan 59/514/3. Gents Recurve – 1. Danny Cowin 60/558/30, 2. Tony Hartley 60/540/8, 3. David Smith 58/331/0. Junior Gents Recurve – 1. James Hill 54/342/3, 2. Blayne Hill 47/210/0

Congratulations to all the winners.