Christmas Chapati cheer for Sway Bowmen

SWAY BOWMEN held an enjoyable annual Chapati Shoot over the Christmas break.

Sixteen Sway Bowmen gathered on a bitterly cold, but very bright day with very little wind. To keep spirits up a glass of warm mulled wine and sausage rolls were the order of the day at the event that was well organised by Jem Mason.

Five dozen arrows over ten ends of six were shot at a distance of 30 metres. Yvonne John finished as first lady with Colin McKenzie winning it for the gents.

Mick Hayman was the top longbow archer and Harriet Pearson was the best junior.

The Chapati Shoot gets its name from the first field Sway Bowmen shot in when the group was formed in 1985.

The venue was shared with a herd of cows who left a number of ‘presents’ when they were herded out, so the tradition started.

Chapati Shoot results: 1st Lady, Yvonne John, recurve bow, 60 hits, 6 golds, 466; 1st Gent, Colin McKenzie, recurve bow, 60 hits, 20 golds, 540; 1st Longbow, Mick Hayman, 60 hits, 4 golds, 389; 1st Junior, Harriet Pearson, recurve bow, 48 hits, 2 golds, 253.