UK Student Archery Association

Oxford pip Kent to Stag Hill win [31/Oct/08]

Oxford narrowly beat Kent to win the university team segment of the Stag Hill Indoors 2008. The Dark Blues margin of victory was only three points, 1539 to 1536 - the university team competition was mixed team of three, over a FITA 18 rather than a Portsmouth. Imperial were third about 20 points behind, just ahead of Stag Hill/Surrey. Exeter were the fifth and final complete university team present.

Oxford were second in BUTTS last year, swept aside by Warwick but fending off their old rivals Cambridge to claim second place with a formidable average of nearly 2190 over 5 BUTTS events. Oxford's side was led home by Dave Longworth whose FITA 18 total of 548 was good enough for third placed gent. Sam Perkins (Kent) finished first, but needed 9s to be prized apart from Tom Duncan (ex York, Heriot-Watt), both men having finished on 556 with 27 golds. Travis Woodward (Imperial) won gents compound comfortably with 573. Ellen Davnall (Oxford) was top student lady on 497.

Kent put in an excellent showing with two weeks before their SEAL debut, remarkably finishing ahead of both Imperial and defending SEAL champions Surrey, despite having only the three archers required for a team and there was better news for the hosts as Stag Hill Archers won the open team competition.

The Stag Hill Open usually attracts a variety of clubs from the south of Britain, but the scores from the 2008 edition suggest that the SEAL 08/09 championship could be fascinating. No new club joining an established league has ever won that league in their debut season - yet. Napier were second in SUS 05/06, whilst Keele won NEUAL in their second season, 06/07. Southampton were runners-up on their first year in SEAL 05/06, but had previously competed in SWWU, where their best finish was also runners-up in 02/03. Both Kent and Essex seem to have realistic hopes of making a little history by February/March, but must first overcome each other in little over a week's time.