The first round of the Nottinghamshire County League and Oregon Challenge started off in a slightly damp Sainsbury’s car park at 8:15 a.m. on Sunday morning (Slightly damp is a slight understatement, it was more of a Monsoon). Sainsbury’s car park is not a usual meeting point, but some members were providing lifts to a few French archers from a club in the Gedling twin town of Vandoeuvre. The plan was that everyone would then move off in convoy to Bramcote’s new ground as most of us didn’t have the slightest idea where it was; those of you who have been will know what I’m talking about; a country track is a bit of an understatement.
The weather didn’t improve much as we erected our three Gazebos’ in pouring rain and howling wind. It pays to get there early to stake your claim in vast expanse of the Burton Joyce tented estate, especially when there’s a wind blowing.
Dave P brought along the world’s most expensive W&W towel and the free bow which came with it, promptly got it wet and scratched the riser. Howls of anguish could be heard across the field.
Kick off was at 10:30 prompt (ish) which was preceded by frantic indecision about what to wear because by this time the rain had dropped to a slight drizzle.
Wardrobe decisions made everyone moved to the line to begin shooting only to realise that the clothing decisions were wildly inaccurate as the sun began peeping through the clouds and warming everything up; which meant everyone rapidly divested themselves of various layers of waterproofs or endured the sunshine until lunch.
Lunch was only thirty minutes by Mario’s watch, in which time Andy G introduced our French contingent to the delights of Pork Pies and Scotch Eggs who promptly decided they were not that partial to Melton Mowbray’s finest.
Sessions two and three went without a hitch, although there was a “slight breeze” coming from the south east which helped one or two gazebo’s reach new heights.
In the spirit of Anglo-French competition, we ran a small challenge between us and Vandoeuvre where we presented a small number of medals to the winners.
We have a few pictures of us and the Vandoeuvre archers in or gallery.
Results – Seniors
- Sylvestre (Vandoeuvre) – 808
- Dave – 807
- Andy G – 741
- Antonin (Vandoeuvre) – 737
- Ellie – 731
- Adeel – 723
- Keith – 706
- Roger – 674
- Terry – 622
- Steve – 607
- Mel – 598
- Francis (Vandoeuvre) – 383
We lost out on first place by one point, which is not bad as Sylvestre is a French national archer and coach!
So if it was a team event with 1st 2nd and 3rd from each team, we won hands down but given it was 3 against 9 it’s probably best not to do that!
Juniors
With the juniors Elise was on her own shooting the Notts League because her French counterpart Lola, was unable to make the trip to the UK. Elise scored 648 and has been asked to shoot the longer distance for the next two league shoots.
The French juniors battled it out with Jenny, Fraser and Tom in the Notts League 2 event.
Again Vandoeuvre took first place honours as well as 2nd place with Alice (755), Benoit (752) Jenny came 3rd with 524.
Anyway it was great fun and we have a picture of the commemorative salver we presented to Vandoeuvre and they brought some nice gifts for us which Andy G currently has.