The Isle of Man Archery Club met on Sunday to shoot a Fita 18 round as part of the club’s Scratch League. The meeting heralded the return of Charlotte George who, after a gap of two years, turned up last season to snatch the Ladies Indoor Trophy. Charlotte is hoping to put in a full season this time, work schedules permitting. Sunday also saw the return of Karen and Rob Lott after their break in South Africa.
The Men’s Recurve provided the largest field of the day with five archers in action. It was a one sided affair with Club Champion Tony Hartley once more displaying his class to effortlessly take the top spot. Danny Cowin, shooting the round for the first time, put in a respectable score to secure second place. This left Adrian Breed in third while Bod Boland and Rob Lott put in identical scores to tie for fourth.
The Men’s Compound division was a closer run thing with only 11 points separating the three archers involved. Dave Moore was leading by one point after the first dozen arrows and managed to stay out in front until the end setting a new personal best into the bargain. Pete Mumford shot solidly but had to settle for second place, while Billy Lightfoot in spite of recording a new personal best, was relegated to third.
The Ladies Recurve result was never in doubt with Charlotte George shooting. Although Charlotte suffered an equipment failure which caused her to suffer two misses, she still won by some margin. More surprising was the performance put in by Charlotte Harris. The fourteen year old began shooting against the adults during the outdoor season and has elected to carry on doing so indoors. She approached Sunday’s shoot with a new focus and added a terrific 68 points to her personal best score to take second place. This left Barbara Harris and Karen Lott to fight it out for third. It was nip and tuck with Karen always slightly in the lead. Barbara didn’t help her cause by recording two misses and Lott went into the final dozen with a lead of six points. However some last minute form from Harris and a few loose arrows from Lott saw Barbara take the last place on the podium.
The Ladies Compound was a two horse race between Sarah Rigby and Joy Gough. Sarah recorded the highest score of the day to take the win.
Of the juniors Bradley Layton was the clear winner with Jack Tyrer and Josh Trafford over a hundred points behind. Both Jack and Josh were shooting the round for the first time.
Results Fita 18:- Gent’s Recurve 1. Tony Hartley 60 501 12, 2. Danny Cowin 60 461 5 pb, 3. Adrian Breed 59 430 8, =4. Bod Boland 60 396 4, Rob Lott 59 396 4. Ladies Recurve 1. Charlotte George 58 501 11, 2. Charlotte Harris 60 470 11 pb, 3. Barbara Harris 58 444 6, 4. Karen Lott 60 437 3. Gent’s Compound 1. Dave Moore 60 559 20 pb, 2. Pete Mumford 60 553 17, 3. Billy Lightfoot 60 548 12 pb. Ladies Compound 1. Sarah Rigby 60 564 25, 2. Joy Gough 59 518 8. Boys Recurve 1. Bradley Layton 58 429 15, 2. Jack Tyrer 56 296 4 pb, 3. 50 279 3 pb.
