A COMFORTABLE day on the Blue Lake Archers Corriedale Park range had a positive effect on scores and achievements Sunday afternoon.
After a breezy start, the day evolved into more agreeable conditions that nicely matched the three-distance World Archery 60/900 round on offer.
Five archers were active on the main range and the practice range was also busy, as three beginners tried the sport.
Commencing at 60 metres, the 90-arrow round was initially a little more miss than hit, with the odd arrow landing in the lower scoring zones.
As the day wore on the conditions continued towards the calm that archers revel in, which saw the final six arrows at the longest range producing an all-gold end for Ben Kilsby.
The change to 50 metres saw the scores jump, as the arrow grouping on the faces started to tighten up.
As the range dropped to 40 metres, Phil Tremelling’s recurve bow was humming.
Opening with an all-gold end, Tremelling was applying pressure to last week’s winner Len Bayley.
Paul Freeman put his foot down, accelerating home with a flurry of all-gold ends.
The wind had dropped to near zero and the scores kept piling up.
The penultimate set of arrows was memorable for Cooper Ferguson and Freeman.
The biggest grin belonged to Ferguson, who had claimed a medal for his first all-gold end at 40 metres.
On the same target Freeman clocked an “oh-so-close”, moment with a 59 out of 60-point effort.
Kilsby went one better with his final six arrows, scoring a perfect 60-point end.
The final off-the-bow scores included new personal bests recorded by Ferguson and Freeman.
Handicap margins put Tremelling on the top of the podium, while Bayley dug in to successfully hold onto the runner-up spot, seeing off Freeman’s late charge.
Results
WA 60/900 outdoor round, handicap scored, benchmark 900 points: Phil Tremelling 899 (off-the-bow 759); Len Bayley 878 (733); Paul Freeman 876 (791 PB); Ben Kilsby 844 (819); Cooper Ferguson 804 (631 PB).
