St George’s Archery Club aces shine at annual Ted Mallett Open Clout competition

A former club president, Mallett held a keen interest in all disciplines of archery, particularly clout and flight.

Clout is a form of the sport where competitors shoot from long distance attempting to drop their arrows as near as possible to a 12-inch square flag surrounded by a 12-foot scoring zone, and Mallett was instrumental at a national level in developing and promoting clout in the UK.

In difficult, blustery conditions, 15 St George’s archers joined a field of competitors from clubs as far afield as Perth Archers in Scotland and Rickmansworth Archery Club in Hertfordshire.

Longbowman Clive Woolley continued his good form, winning the 180-yard competition, while Caron Kolowiecki was first in the 50+ 120-yard shoot.

Ian Harris capitalised on a good first half to claim the gentlemen’s 180-yard barebow trophy, and Karl Walker shot a personal best to claim a white barebow tassel award.

Shooting 140 yards in the 50+ age group, Phil Huett was presented with the gold medal, a white barebow tassel award and also set new club record scores for both the single and double rounds.

In the ladies’ barebow competition, Jess Hardesty-Dean and Rowan Hunt took silver and bronze respectively for St George’s, while novice archer Sue Hobson continued her excellent start in the sport by claiming fourth place.

The competition season continues apace, and next up for the St George’s clout team is a trip to Driffield for the Yorkshire Championship shoot.