Paul Bond shooting a few years ago.
Our third in the current season series of Portsmouth Club Competitions was held on Saturday 12 January and was another great success with Peter Bond presiding over affairs as Judge. Entries for the competition were snapped up as soon as the event was published and 34 archers took part. The event saw the return to our club of Paul Bond who still holds a Stafford County Record dating back to 1994. We hadn’t got a recent shot of him so we thought the picture above would cause appropriate embarrassment – or maybe not. Paul on this occasion shot a new Club Record of 573 in the Gents Recurve. Leigh Masters also set a new record in the Gents Flatbow with a score of 410, beating his old Club Record of 363. Vaughan Tucker set a new record in the Gents Traditional Recurve with 409 and Robyn Stevens (welcome back home) set a Ladies Senior Flatbow record of 251 (beating her old record of 227 as a junior). Our Records Officers also have to admit to missing a Club Record set by Callum Howes in the Gents under 12s recurve in the December Shoot when he scored 306. A few personal bests were also achieved and Portsmouth Badges are awaiting claims. Well done to you all. We must not however forget that the day was not just about high scores. Archery is for enjoyment as much as winning, and a great day was had by all – except the grumpy ones!