Namoi Valley Archers was represented by the Stubbs family at the first ABA Invitational tournament of the year held at Kempsey. Peter Stubbs scored a wonderful win in Mens Recurve A grade after holding off a determined challenge from long term rival, Karl Peck from Taree in the final round. Stubbs established a good lead over Peck during the first 2 rounds and shot brilliantly in the final round to close the door on his rival. Ann Stubbs finished with the silver medal in Womens Compound A grade after putting together a very consistent performance. Jarrod Stubbs also finished with silver in Mens Compound A grade finishing behind one of the legends of the sport, Taree’s Robert Wilson. Jarrod Stubbs has been quietly improving and his climb up the rankings looks set to continue.
Namoi Valley Archers held a 2 round ABA event on Sunday with competitors taking to the Outback range in hot and steamy conditions. The day had a regional flavor with archers from Armidale and Tamworth making the trip to Gunnedah for the event. Competition was intense in the Sighted division with only 4 points separating the top three archers after the forty targets. Nathan Murrell scored a memorable win putting together 2 top class rounds to finish the day as number one with Gordon White and Greg Donovan finishing in a tie for the minor placings. Wade Hudson turned on a master class in the Mens Compound division shooting with great precision to score a great win. Tamworth veteran Neville White also shot well recording a Masters score on his way to second place with Jarrod Stubbs grabbing third. Wendi Murrell turned in an impressive display to finish the day as the top female Compound archer with Ann Stubbs shooting well to take second place with Karen Hudson in third. Sebastian Donovan had to work hard for the win in the Junior Sighted contest after newcomer Ethan Mansfield pushed him all the way with Lachlan Boyd in third. The next club shoot will be held on March 25th and will be a 2 round 3D event. The next Branch Invitational tournament is set down for March 17 and 18 at Taree.
Scores. Sighted – Nathan Murrell 774, Greg Donovan 770, Gordon White 770, John Clark 766, Peter Bush 762, Matt Sinclair 756, Stuart Dolbel 746, Bernie Hayne 746, Steve Jaeger 726, David Buckingham 690, Craig Mansfield 662, Mel Sinclair 636, Denise Stevenson 602, Matt Krug 590, Lloyd Jauja 378.
Mens Compound - Wade Hudson 758, Neville White 668, Jarrod Stubbs 608.
Womens Compound - Wendi Murrell 620, Ann Stubbs 584, Karen Hudson 556, Taylah Snape 416, Sharon Boyd 412, Amy Stubbs 282.
Traditional - Peter Stubbs 576, Darrell Hudson 326.
Olympic - Ken Thompson 696, Mark Stevenson 672.
Junior Sighted – Sebastian Donovan 736, Ethan Mansfield 728, Lachlan Boyd 360.
Cub Compound - Hayley Murrell 624, Kaytlyn Murrell 304, Emily Jaeger 216, Emylie Murrell 162.
Cub Sighted - Sophie Donovan 310.
Cub Traditional - Zac Critchley 556. Blake Memorey 368.
