The Indoor season got off to a gentle start on Sunday by way of a Portsmouth round- 60 arrows, shot in groups of three, on the largest of the Indoor target faces. With many of the archers changing the set- up of their bows (fatter arrows to maximize scoring, different pressure buttons etc) scores were unlikely to be high. For those who had made radical changes to their bows Outdoors (new limbs, launchers or clarifiers) the challenge was even greater as they were beginning the season without any sight marks at all. A total of fourteen archers turned out to shoot over the course of the day, several of whom had not been seen since the Covid lockdown in March. The round was shot as part of the Club’s Scratch League
The largest field of the day came in the Gents Recurve with five archers vying for top spot. Ralf Mitchell, who was shooting under the double handicap of no sight marks and being Ralf Mitchell, launched his first arrow into the ballistic netting a foot above the boss. After adjustments he put three arrows into the target, even though he was only allowed to shoot another two, and would have carried on shooting, if he had not been stopped by Pete Mumford. It was no surprise that Ralf went on to come last. Peter Howland and Chris Addy had a tight contest for third place with the advantage changing after every dozen and Peter managing to claim third by just 1 point. Simon Kenyon made a good start to the round but a tendency to put every fifth arrow into a black outer ring put a dent in his score and he had to settle for second place. Danny Cowin put in a reluctant appearance and was glad he did. The switch back to his longer alloy arrows allowed him to draw through the shot properly and his form and accuracy returned. An adjustment to his pressure button at the halfway stage improved things further and Danny romped home to an easy victory.
Barbara Harris started the new Indoor season the way she finished the last, by recording the highest Recurve score of the day.
Rhys Moore, Pete Mumford, Colin Moore and Cliff Graves lined up in the Gents Compound division. Rhys Moore led from start to finish to record a comfortable win. Pete Mumford shot solidly to take second place, while Colin Moore faded to allow Cliff Graves to secure third.
Lone Lady Compound Joy Gough was delighted with her first shoot. Having made radical changes to her bow during the Outdoor season she was unsure about what to expect. A few fine adjustments after the sighters showed her shooting low to one side, saw Joy put in a score that was a point higher than her partner Pete Mumford.
The afternoon session heralded the return of Barebow specialist Chris Crompton, who made an excellent start to the season. Only two juniors put in an appearance, Toby Young, who had to make adjustments to his sight bar at the halfway stage but still broke 500 and Nathan Kinrade who also easily eclipsed the 500 barrier.
Results Portsmouth Scratch: Gents Recurve – 1.D.Cowin 60/519/14, 2.S.Kenyon 60/486/14, 3.P.Howland 59/479/10, 4.C.Addy 60/478/8, 5.R.Mitchell 60/442/2. Ladies Recurve-B.Harris 60/545/22. Gents Compound- 1.R.Moore 60/579/38, 2.P.Mumford 60/562/23, 3.C.Graves 60/559/19, 4.C.Moore 60/554/19. Ladies Compound-J.Gough 60/563/22. Gents Barebow-C.Crompton 60/518/13. U18’s-T.Young 60/505/12. U16’s-N.Kinrade 60/522/17.
Isle of Man Archery Club 