Meridian Junior Open Indoor Tournament, Saturday 13th October 2007

Five members of the club attended this year's Meridian Junior Open on Saturday 13th October, held at the East Grinstead Sports Club. The event was dominated by current members of the Sussex County Junior squad with Thomas Hooper of Bognor Regis AC recording an outstanding score of 573 in the morning session, although the Young Archers of Angmering did not come away empty-handed.

Morning Session

The morning session saw Emily Cobden, making her debut as a competitive archer, score a very creditable 365 to finish fourth in the Girls 12 and under section. After a slightly nervous start Emily's scoring became more consistent in the second half of the round and overall it was a performance that promises much for the future.

Also shooting in his first tournament in the morning session was one of our most promising young archers, Isaac Rowlatt-Harrod. Unfortunately it proved to be one of those days when little went right for Isaac, but nevertheless he stuck to his task gamely to score 152. There isn't any doubt that Isaac has the talent to do much better so, now the demons of that first competition are out of the way, we look forward to him enjoying better fortune in his next tournament.

The third and final member representing the club in the morning session was Pip Tucknott. His score of 487 was a personal best and proved good enough to win the gold medal in the Boys 12 and under section.

Afternoon Session

After the lunch break Pip was joined by his sister, Rebecca Tucknott, and Mark Jacobs to shoot the afternoon round. For Rebecca and Mark, it was their first archery tournament.

The sole longbow archer in the tournament, Mark produced some of the best shooting of his short archery career to score 123, which included one end of 20. Once again a very creditable performance, full of promise for the future, from a YAA member. It was also one that received some of the loudest applause of the day when Mark was awarded the Lady Paramount prize for his efforts. Well done, Mark!

Back to the recurve archers. Despite being paired with Thomas Hooper (who scored 567 in the second session), Rebecca refused to be flustered by the heavy scoring of her target partner. A first end of 9-8-8 was followed by some consistent scoring for a final total of 422, leaving Rebecca looking forward to her next tournament with some enthusiasm. It is rumoured that she may now also begin to practise more frequently than once a fortnight.

Fired up by his success of the morning session (or perhaps that should be spurred on by sibling rivalry), Pip began the second session with the avowed intention of scoring 500 in a Portsmouth round for the first time. It was, alas, not to be; but a score of 492 provided the consolation of a second personal best of the day.

Full results from the competition have yet to be received, but they will be posted on the club website as soon as they arrive.

Our thanks go to the members of the Meridian club for organising a very enjoyable and well-run tournament at a superb venue. Thanks also to Roger McMullan who, as ever, proved to be the most affable of judges. And, finally, thanks to the young archers from all over Sussex - and a couple from outside the county - who showed once again that archery is a sport that brings out the very best in young people. We look forward to seeing you all again next year.