2011 Allington Castle "Sir Thomas Wyatt" Double York

This was a tough shoot, windy on the first day and blisteringly hot on the second day. I shot 1224 and 1222 with a total for the double of 2446 (which increased my county record by 42 points). Two more solid MB scores.

I was very confident going into this shoot of winning both days, which I did but was pushed hard all the way. However what won the event was consistent shooting. Much of it was not pretty due to the conditions, but my game has developed a much tougher mental attitude now. Even when I am nervous (which I always am, something to work on still), or the conditions are not good, I am making myself hard to beat. On the day I made less mistakes than the following pack. Over the 288 arrows, I only had 3 outside the red (one at 100yards, and two at 80 yards - one being totally down to me).

I now have three weeks until the Surrey County Champs. My goal is to win those champs, so I can put the York rounds aside now and focus on the FITA distances, hope for good weather on the day and push onto GMB.

But, I must get over the nerves. I have no need to be. Nerve free I can shoot huge scores (i.e. at the club), but this is still holding me back in competition. I have shot 6 comfortable MB scores this year under pressure so I can do it. But it will happen, I am sure.

I am now halfway through the outdoor season and delighted with my progress. I am much better than last year, far more consistent and shooting high level MB scores. Last year was more high and lows. Even if GMB does not happen this year, I am patient and will strive hard until I do.

2011 Essex County Champs

Not a good day for weather but a good days shooting overall. I won the visitors award (and overall, winning by 32 clear points) with a 1234 York. A comfortable MB score in difficult conditions. It rained most of the day, and down range had a nasty changing tail wind that pushed groups left and right at 100 yards.

The 100 yards distance was a solid 598. 80 yards was excellent, and I put down a distance PB of 424, shooting four 106 dozens.

60 yards was a little disappointing, losing focus and putting in two reds, so this is something to work on. Just because its 60 yards and near the end of the round, I still need to attack the distance and make sure of each arrow.

My frame of mind going into this was its was down to the other competitors to beat me, and I was sure of the win before I started because I was confident of my form and technique. There is still a lot of work to do, but I feel I am going in the right direction.

One area that has improved is my mental approach. Bad shots are followed by going through the shot process step by step to ensure the next shot is as good as it can be, and I have clear goals and objectives each time I shoot.

UK Masters practice video

Just a short video of me practising the day before the UK Masters on the range at Lilleshall.

More PB's and re-gained my MB

A lot has happened in the last week. I shot the Middlesex County Champs, the SCAS FITA Star and this week end at the UK Masters.

Middlesex was interesting weather, with really tricky winds. I was not at my best but shot a 1210 York and 1324 FITA to put in two early MB scores. Both rounds had bad patches but I went back to basics and really pulled them around. Whilst I was disappointed with shooting badly at times, I am really pleased with my mental strength and application to not let it affect me and work the problem. The highlight of the weekend was my 342 @ 50 on the FITA which is a competition PB. With both scores I finished 1st in the Middlesex champs (as visitor but also overall for the gents compound), and 2nd in the FITA.

This weekend was the UK Masters, and I was hoping for a comfortable MB score to complete the three scores needed, and I did that, just missing out on a GMB score by two points (1350). I started nervously, but shot 323 @ 90m. 70m was still a little nervy, but finished on 336 for a competition PB. 50m started well with a 114 and 113 dozen, but a sloppy 108 left a lot to do to hit GMB. I needed 358 to get GMB on the nose. I started with a 119 and 120 dozen, but then a sloppy 117 meant I was short. However, I did get to claim my 1350 Star badge. I finished 30m on 356, still a competition PB. Overall I am very pleased with my performance but there are still a lot of avoidable points being dropped.

The Saturday was the 50m 720 and H2H. I was very windy and I struggled with a 651. The H2H went OK, winning my first round and then narrowly missing out in the next round to a GB Squad member, which I pushed hard until the last three arrows were the wind ended my chances of an upset.

So overall, its been a good week, but there is still room for improvement and I am sure it will come.