The Sunburn League kicked off today and certainly lived up to it's name with the weather being glorious, suntan lotion needed and with perfect shooting conditions.

25 members of the club turned up to shoot in three rounds, Junior National, National & Long National and for many this was their first tournament of any kind.

Everyone shot really well and said that they very much enjoyed the day and all are already looking forward to Round 2 on June 22nd. If you didn't enter Round 1 you can still enter. You can shoot as many or as few rounds as you like although we recommend that you shoot in at least 3 in order to stand the greatest chance of winning one of the cups at the end of the year. Whether you shot in Round 1 or not, if you want to shoot in Round 2 please contact Oliver Johnson to book your place.

Below are the scores from Round 1

The winners of each round were therefore:

Junior National: Lee Newman
National: Andrew Walford
Long National: Gavin Sutherland

The highest unadjusted scores shot (scores actually shot rather than adjusted by a handicap allowance) were:

Junior National (Recurve): Isla Bezencon 577
Junior National (Compound): James Camp 432
National (Recurve): Oliver Johnson 530
National (Compound): Will Camp 630
Long National: Gavin Sutherland 594

Photos from the day can be viewed below.

Today saw Round 2 of the Sunburn League take place and once again the weather came out for us with the sun beating down on us all day long.

Whilst we all sweltered in the heat we once again shot either a Junior National, National or Long National. With 21 competitors on 7 targets the shooting line was full of archers looking to see if they could better their previous scores or a classification score, indeed 13 archers did shoot a score that will count towards their classification.

If you didn't shoot in Round 2 or in Round 1 it's still not too late to enter. Round 3 takes place on July 20th and as we recommend shooting in at least 3 rounds you still have enough time to enter and stand a chance of winning a trophy at the end of the year. If you want to enter round 3 please e-mail Oliver Johnson to book your place.

Below are the scores for Round 2

The winners of each round were therefore:

Junior National: Jenni Camp
National: Stuart Judd
Long National: Will Camp

The highest unadjusted scores shot (scores actually shot rather than adjusted by a handicap allowance) were:

Junior National (Recurve): Charlie Camp 539
Junior National (Compound): James Camp 428
National (Recurve): Stuart Judd 576
National (Compound): Graham Whittington 580
Long National (Recurve): Gavin Sutherland 596
Long Nation (Compound): Will Camp 616

Photos from the day can be viewed below.

Our 3rd Beginners Course of the year took place over the weekend of the 28th & 29th June and once again we had 12 eager participants looking to experience and take up our favourite sport.

As usual we started off shooting barebow at just 10 yards and it wasn't long before just about everyone was shooting well and producing tight groups. Our team of volunteers, Frank, Lee, Andrew, Oliver, Stuart, Gary and Graham were always on hand to not only ensure everyone's safety but to give tuition and guidance on correct form, technique and advice on the equipment needed. It was the help, friendliness and encouragement of our volunteers which in no small way contributed to the success of the course and all of the participants commented on how much they had learned and how much they had enjoyed it. We are also delighted to say that everyone of them said that they would be joining our club and we look forward to welcoming them in the very near future.

Photos from the course can be seen below.

Sunday 20th July saw Round 3 of the Sunburn League. In the hottest and most energy sapping temperatures seen so far in the Sunburn League some 20 archers competed in a choice of three rounds.

10 club members shot a Junior National, 5 a National and 5 a Long National. Despite the rising temperatures many club members not only shot personal bests but also achieved a new or higher classification. Being the 3rd round this was the last round in which all scores automatically are entered into the league totals. Any archer that has now shot in 3 rounds must now shoot a score better than a previous one for it to be counted.

Over the two previous rounds we have seen many archers handicaps tumble and as a result this round was the closest yet. Results and photos can be viewed below:

The winners of each round were therefore:

Junior National: James Camp
National: Ben Fearnside
Long National: Lloyd Mitchell

The highest unadjusted scores shot (scores actually shot rather than adjusted by a handicap allowance) were:

Junior National (Recurve): Lee Newman 578
Junior National (Compound): James Camp 536
National (Recurve): Frank Hollis 490
National (Compound): Graham Whittington 553
Long National (Recurve): Stuart Judd 487
Long Nation (Compound): Will Camp 605

The following archers also achieved their classifications from this round:

Oliver Johnson - 1st Class
Stuart Judd - 1st Class
Andrew Walford - 2nd Class
Louis Moorhouse-Booth - Junior 2nd Class
Ben Fearnside - 3rd Class
Gail Johnson - 3rd Class
Claire Sumner - 3rd Class

Congratulations to all our winners. Photos from the day can be viewed below.

Last Sunday, August 17th, was the penultimate round of the Sunburn League 2014. 20 club members took part in the usual choice of three rounds, Junior National, National and Long National.

Whilst the weather certainly wasn't going to give anyone sunburn this didn't dampen anyone's enthusiasm as everyone was aware that having now shot 3 previous rounds they now had to better a previous score for it to be counted towards the final league results.

We would like to pass on our thanks and gratitude to Frank for organising this round and also to Dave Gregory who very kindly took some of the photos on the day.

Full details of the results from the day along with photos can be viewed below.

The winners of each round were therefore:

Junior National: Martin Folkes
National: Lee Newman
Long National: Will Camp

The highest unadjusted scores shot (scores actually shot rather than adjusted by a handicap allowance) were:

Junior National (Recurve): Martin Folkes 528
Junior National (Compound): James Camp 552
National (Recurve): Lee Newman 514
National (Compound): Graham Whittington 572
Long National (Recurve): Stuart Judd 465
Long Nation (Compound): Will Camp 616

The following archers also achieved their classifications from this round:

Dave Gregory - 1st Class
James Camp - 1st Class
Lee Newman - 2nd Class

Congratulations to all our winners. Photos from the day can be viewed below.

The last round of the Sunburn League 2014 took place on Sunday 21st September.

The wind certainly made for difficult shooting conditions seeming to blow in all directions pretty much all at the same time but still everyone shot well considering and even a few personal bests were recorded.

After 4 previous rounds the scores were quite tight in a number of categories. In the most improved handicap award for example, just one point separated the top 3 places and with the wind causing a number of archers to struggle, most of the other awards were still up for the taking.

Results from Round 5 and the overal results can be found below.

The winners of each round were therefore:

Junior National: Matthew Cooke
National: Frank Hollis
Long National: Oliver Johnson

The highest unadjusted scores shot (scores actually shot rather than adjusted by a handicap allowance) were:

Junior National (Recurve): Maisie Kennard 532
Junior National (Compound): James Camp 500
National (Recurve): Frank Hollis 446
Long National (Recurve): Oliver Johnson 460
Long Nation (Compound): Will Camp 571

The Sunburn League has been not only great fun but very successful. Before we reveal the final results here are a few facts and figures.

• 32 members took part or roughly 50% of the senior club
• On average those that took part improved their handicap by 4 points
• Of those that took part 68% either acheived their first classification or improved upon an existing one
• Of those that took part in 3 or more rounds their scores shot (not allowing for handicap) improved on average by 70-100 points for the same round.

It has been hugely rewarding to see so many people not only take part in each round but to also have seen them practising in the weeks between each round, working on their form, release, working up to greater distances bow tuning etc etc so as to ensure they have the best chance in the league. Congratulations to everyone that took part!

The Sunburn League will return next year with a few changes. Details will be announced later in the year but think Bigger and Better!

Photos from the 5th and final round of the 2014 league can be viewed below.

This year saw us launch the first ever Sunburn League which was a huge success with 2/3rds of participants either achieving or improving their classification and improving their handicap by an average of 4 points. Next year we are going bigger and better!

We have made a number of changes to the Sunburn League for 2015 the biggest being changing from shooting variations of the National round to shooting variations of the Long Metric and increasing the number number of rounds/leagues from 3 to 5. This means that next year every member will have the opportunity to achieve classifications all the way up to Bowman, the highest classification that can be achieved at club level.

The Leagues

There will be 5 different leagues compared to 3 this year. Each league will shoot a different round

The league/rounds we will be shooting are:

Long Metric (90M & 70M)
Long Metric I (70M & 60M)
Long Metric II (60M & 50M)
Long Metric III (50M & 40M)
Long Metric IV (40M & 30M) Juniors Only

Each round consists of 3 dozen arrows at each distance.

Depending on gender, age and bow type the following classifications could be achieved:
Long Metric - Up to Bowman for all archers
Long Metric I - Up to Bowman for all except Senior Gents
Long Metric II - Up to Junior Bowman for most juniors, 1st Class for Senior Ladies and 2nd Class for Senior GentsLong Metric III - Up to 2nd Class for Senior Ladies, 3rd Class for Senior Gents and Junior Bowman for most Juniors
Long Metric IV - Up to Junior Bowman depending on gender, age and bow type

The Rules

We have made a few changes to the rules for 2015.

1. You must have a valid handicap in order to enter the league
2. You can shoot in any league you wish with the exception of the Long Metric IV which is only open to juniors (under 18)
3. You can change leagues as many times as you want
4. Your top 3 scores in any one league count towards the leader board for that league
5. Your top 3 scores across all leagues count towards the leader board for the overall Sunburn League
6. Scoring will use the 10 zone scoring system (X,10,9,8,7,6,5,4,3,2,1 for each ring of the target face)
7. In the event of a tie (after adding the handicap allowance) the number of X's will determine the winner. Should there still be tie, the number of 10's, 9's etc until a winner is determined.

In regards to Rule 1. A valid handicap is where you have completed 3 scored outdoor rounds in the past 12 months and submitted those scores to our Records Officer. If you have not done this then you will need to do this before April. We will allow anyone who doesn't have a valid handicap to shoot in the Sunburn League but your scores will not count towards the league but can be used to achieve a handicap.

The Rounds

We have increased the number of rounds from 5 to 7. Each round will have an assembly at 9:30am with shooting starting promptly at 10:00am. The dates for each round are as follows:

Round 1: 19th April 2015
Round 2: 10th May 2015
Round 3: 14th June 2015
Round 4: 12th July 2015
Round 5: 16th August 2015
Round 6: 13th September 2015
Round 7: 18th October 2015

The Prizes

There will be trophies for the following winners:

Most Improved Handicap
Winner of the Long Metric IV League
Winner of the Long Metric III League
Winner of the Long Metric II League
Winner of the Long Metric I League
Winner of the Long Metric League
Overall Winner of the Sunburn League

There will be medals for the following winners:

Highest individual score in the Long Metric IV League
Highest individual score in the Long Metric III League
Highest individual score in the Long Metric II League
Highest individual score in the Long Metric I League
Highest individual score in the Long Metric League

Due to the increased number of leagues and rounds regretably we will not be awarding medals to each months winners.

So get your bows tuned, get practicing and get ready for The Sunburn League 2015!

The Sunburn League 2015 has begun! Sunday 19th April saw round 1 of the new Sunburn League with more rounds, longer distances and more challenging.

Unlike last year, this year the Sunburn League is based on the various FITA/World Archery Long Metric rounds, namely the Long Metric IV, III, II, I and Long Metric. Whilst the sun was out so was the wind and with it cold temperatures, summer is on it's way but it's not here just yet! The wind also caused a few problems with several people reporting their arrows being blown this way and that and on more than one occasion a steady cross wind became a strong head wind just at the moment of release.

A big thank you to all that turned up to shoot and helped set up and pack away. A special thank you to our records officer Frank Hollis who came up to ensure all was running smoothly despite being too ill to shoot. Get well soon Frank!

Scores and photos from the day can be read below.

Please note the scores here have been verified and in some circumstances may differ from those shown on the leader-board photo due to either incorrect totaling on the score-sheet or a change in handicap etc.

The Winners

 Long Metric III:
1st: Gail Johnson 1445
2nd: James Camp 1424
3rd: Andrew Walford 1392

Long Metric II:
1st: Lee Newman 1464
2nd: Lloyd Mitchell 1387

Long Metric I:
1st: David Coates 1382
2nd: Julie Pede 1316

Long Metric:
1st: Dave Gregory 1428
2nd: Will Camp 1387

Full Results