St David Shoot 2007 Report
Contents
After an exciting opening round at Fonmon last month, the second instalment of the tour did not disappoint. With dry conditions, everything seemed right for high scores at the St David Shoot which was hosted by March Hare Archers on 11th of March. The Caradog Shoot (Stage 1) had been well attended by English archers but for the second stage of the tour, the EFAA contingent were shooting on home soil. The English archers also outnumber the Welsh at the St David Shoot and competition was close in many of the style groups. The March Hare club put on an excellent event as always and the Welsh and English flags were flying side by side for the day. It did not go unnoticed (or unappreciated) that vases of daffodils were put out in the canteen aswell!
The conditions had been near perfect at Fonmon for the Caradog Shoot and so it appeared would be the case at March Hare for stage 2, with dry conditions and blue skies. Not so, the infamous March Hare winds made their entrance right on queue as soon as shooting began. With an intermittent swirling breeze, precise shooting became some challenge and by mid-morning some archers were well down on the average. Just add variety to the day, the winds suddenly died around lunch time leaving enough arrows for the archers to try to rebuild some depleted scores.
Left: Geraint Thomas and Michael Morgan, Centre: Steve
Lloyd, Right: Ken and Jess Penrose
After a narrow win at the Caradog Shoot, Dave Home made it two out of two with a solid victory in the Gents Unlimited division. Despite shooting well below par, Dave was able to fend off a determined challenge from the Thomas boys, Geraint and Eric.
In the Veteran Gents Unlimited, Bob Lloyd put in another good performance and score a personal best, but experience told as he was comprehensively out shot by John Bloomfield of Long Eaton Archers.
Scores were well down in the Gents Recurve freestyle group and Richard Doore gained revenge for a narrow loss at the Caradog Shoot by beating Mathew Symmonds well.
Tom Phillips of March Hare made is two wins in a row with an impressive win in the Cub Male Barebow division. Once again Michael Evans, also of March Hare was close on Tom's heels for second place, whilst newcomer Elliot Parry made his mark by finishing the highest out of the Welsh archers, thereby moving into third place in the tour and setting a new Welsh record in the process.
Paul Anstee of March Hare put in an impressive performance to win the Gents Compound Bowhunter group, as did Steve Dale of Thornbury. However, despite a poor day at the office, Gary Hart of Hawk Archers had enough points on aggregate to maintain his lead for the tour.
In the Ladies Bowhunter Compound group, Charlotte Evans shot very well to take the win, whilst another March Hare archer, David Vukomanovic put in a solid round to win the Gents Longbow division.
Stage 3 of the tour will be held on the 15th of July. The venue has yet to be confirmed, but we are hoping to make an announcement on this shortly. Keep a close eye on this website for developments.
Click here for a full results list
A link to the overall tour scores will follow shortly.