The IoM Archery Club’s indoor season started on Sunday with a Portsmouth round shot as part of the club’s Scratch League. The Portsmouth consists of 60 arrows shot at the largest of the indoor target faces. With the curtailing of the outdoor season due to bad weather, many of the archers were badly out of practice and looked to the Portsmouth as a way of easing gently back into things.
Danny Cowin, Jack Tyrer and Josh Trafford were all shooting indoors for the first time. Joy Gough made a welcome return to the sport after a nine month lay -off due to a shoulder injury.
The result of the Men’s Recurve Division was never in any doubt with Tony Hartley putting on a display of consistently high scoring to take the win by some margin. However newcomer Danny Cowin hit the ground running to break the 500 barrier at his first attempt and secure second place. Adrian Breed, who only shoots during the indoor season, took third place over Rhys Moore who struggled with a hand injury.
In the Men’s Compound Division it was Dave Moore who had the best of things. Dave equalled his p.b. and recorded the highest score of the day. He then went on to shoot in the afternoon session which saw him set a new personal best score for the Double Portsmouth. Pete Mumford put in some solid shooting but an uncharacteristic miss in the fifth end cost him dear and he had to settle for second. Billy Lightfoot and Colin Moore were then left to fight it out for third, with Lightfoot narrowly taking the last place on the podium.
The Ladies Compound was reduced to a field of two with the absence of the George sisters and it was hardly surprising that Sarah Rigby took the honours over Joy Gough. Joy however was pleased her performance after such a long gap. Sarah also shot a Double Portsmouth.
Barbara Harris was the only archer in the Ladies Recurve Division and she put in a respectable score. Three juniors were in action on Sunday Charlotte Harris, the only girl, took the honours with Josh Trafford putting in a solid performance to take second ahead of Jack Tyrer.
Results Portsmouth:- Men’s Recurve - 1. Tony Hartley 60 554 27, 2. Danny Cowin 60 510 10 pb, 3. Adrian Breed 60 476 9, 4. Rhys Moore 60 465 5. Men’s Compound – 1. Dave Moore 60 576 36 (Dbl Portsmouth 120 1147 70pb), 2. Pete Mumford 59 563 32, 3. Billy Lightfoot 60 553 16, 4. Colin Moore 60 547 13. Ladies Compound – 1. Sarah Rigby 60 571 31 (Dbl Portsmouth 120 1139 59), 2. Joy Gough 60 552 15. Ladies Recurve – Barbara Harris 60 535 17. Juniors – 1. Charlotte Harris 60 514 13, 2. Josh Trafford 59 392 3, 3. Jack Tyrer 60 355 0.
