By Amaryllis Barton

Last Saturday marked the date of the 64th annual Varsity match between the Oxford University Company of Archers and the Cambridge University Bowmen. Both clubs braved wind, rain and even hail on Christ Church Meadows to shoot the 108 arrows required to complete the competition.

With a strong team going into the match, Oxford knew they had to be on their mettle to beat Cambridge; it was just a case of performing on the day in spite of the adverse weather conditions. This Oxford team managed that in style. Oxford’s stellar team of Kirstie Smith, Matthew Langton, Alex Smith and Angelina Measures put in a solid score to win the match.

Oxford finished over 200 points clear of their rivals, with at least one club record toppled; the Tabs were well and truly shoed and the Rosebowl trophy was retained by Oxford.

Echoing the success of the first team, the Oxford novice team reclaimed the novice plate from the light blues meaning that Oxford had managed the double for the first time in its club history.

Star performers on the day were Kirstie Smith, first overall and only the second Oxford archer to be awarded a Full-Blue, and Matthew Langton, who was the highest scoring male archer.

The real story, however, is that this is no flash in the pan; Oxford has been steadily narrowing the gap on its rivals, particularly Cambridge, for a number of years. Early indicators of Varsity success came at the BUCS Indoor Archery competition, with more silverware and a national title for Kirstie Smith, and a second place position for the club overall.

In effect, the Varsity match is only the start of the archery outdoor season: several key national competitions remain. Oxford archers can take heart from this resounding victory and rest assured that fitness sessions and practice in the pouring rain have allowed them to taste success when it mattered most.

Hi all,

Here's the notices for this week:

1. Sessions
We're still sorting out our outdoor sessions for this term, but hopefully should be running them later this week (I'll send another email out when we've had them confirmed).  (email attatched at end of newspost)
Current sessions are:

Wednesday 1800-2000 (at OA)
Friday 0630-0830 (inside at Iffley)
Friday 1800-2000 (at OA)
Sunday 1300-1600 (at OA)

OA sessions are all at the Oxford Rugby club grounds in Hinksey. Here are some directions: http://goo.gl/maps/ZMyoh.

If you don’t have a bike, try getting in touch with Matt (matthew.langton<~at~>lincoln.ox.ac.uk) or Jack (jack.sobey<~at~>btinternet.com) to see if they are going and are able to give a lift (although the walk there isn't really that bad).
 
Make sure when you go that you sign the book in the clubhouse to say you have been at the session and that you are from OUCofA (ask someone where it is if you’re not sure).

2. Fitness training
We won’t be running our own fitness training sessions this term, but you are welcome to attend the county training, which is also at Hinksey at 1930 on Tuesdays.

3. Coaching
This week's coaching session be 1830 Thursday evening, location to be confirmed.

4. Bow rental
If you don't own your own bow, but would like to borrow one of the club ones to hold onto for the term and take to sessions, please let me know, and we can arrange a time to meet at Iffley for you to collect it. Please bring a cheque for the deposit of £50 (which will be returned when the bow is returned at the end of term) and a cheque for £15 for the bow rental, both made payable to OUCofA.

5. Tournaments
BUCS Outdoors takes place on the 15th and 16th of June, see Maddy's email for more details.
On 2nd June, Harlequin Bowmen host their annual Diana shoot, where the prize is a 3ft statue of the goddess Diana (we want to win this one, if only to see Sports Fed attempt to fit it in the trophy cabinet!), more details to come soon from Maddy.

Regards,
Chris

Addendum: 

Hi all,

We now have our own sessions organised! They're held at Merton College Recreation Ground, which you can reach by walking to St Catz and going through the barrier past the lodge, the field where we'll be shooting is to the left of the road.
Here's some directions http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?saddr=High+St%2FA420&daddr=Unknown+road&hl=en&sll=51.757029,-1.244524&sspn=0.007531,0.021136&geocode=FZasFQMdlNHs_w%3BFU3AFQMdCgPt_w&oq=High+,+Oxford&t=h&dirflg=w&mra=dme&mrsp=1&sz=16&z=16

This week, the sessions are:

Thursday 1730-2130
Saturday 1230-1630

The first and last half hour of each session is just for setting up and packing away, it's not actually time we've got booked for shooting.

We can also still go to all the OA sessions.

Regards,
Chris