Namoi Valley Archers sent 4 teams to the Northern NSW Branch Team 3D Challenge held in Gloucester over the weekend with 2 teams winning their respective divisions. This event is a new concept on the Branch calendar with each 3 member team shooting 2 qualifying rounds on Saturday with the top ranked teams progressing to Sunday’s shootout final. The format for the finals required each team member to shoot just one arrow at a 3D target set up in front of the assembled competitors and the high pressure format bought many teams undone. The team of Ann Stubbs, Karen Hudson and Amy Stubbs finished the qualifying rounds with the top ranking in the Women’s Compound event and progressed to Sunday’s final as a hot favourite but struck trouble in the final when Karen Hudson missed with her arrow but Ann and Amy Stubbs both scored allowing the team to post a score. The Gunnedah team then has a nervous wait as the other teams shot but their score could not be matched giving them the win. Namoi Valley Archers decided to field a composite team in the Mens Compound event with Recurve archers Darrell Hudson and Peter Stubbs joining compound star, Wade Hudson, for the event. The team struggled to match the top flight compound teams during the qualifying rounds doing just enough to make the final and just like the Gunnedah’s team were in a precarious position when Darrell Hudson’s arrow just skimmed the back of the target. Peter Stubbs scored with his arrow and Wade Hudson drove his arrow right into the bullseye giving the team a score. Amazingly, team after team cracked under the intense pressure and the Gunnedah boys celebrated in style when the last team failed to beat their score giving them an unlikely win and bragging rights over their opposition. The focus returns to club activities this weekend with a shoot set down for November 1st.
