UK Student Archery Association

3 is the magic number [19/Dec/18]

Despite starting its 18th full season, SWWU has never previously had more than 1 match take place before Christmas. This season, SWWU teams are the only senior clubs to have contested 3 matches. SWWU match 2 was co-hosted by Aberystwyth (17th Nov) and Plymouth (25th Nov), the first and second time these clubs have (co-)hosted a SWWU leg. SWWU match 3 was hosted by Exeter on 1st December. Exeter won both senior and one of the novice matches, with Swansea winning the other.

For the results and updated tables, see the SWWU 2018/19 page.

Match 2 saw Exeter and Plymouth wind up fighting it out for top spot. Hosts Exeter's tally of 2154 was a dip of 40 on match 1 and the only just held on, with Plymouth an arrow value behind on 2144. This score was enough to secure second place however - with the smallest gap bewteen gold and silver in a SWWU match since February 2010. Bristol posted a 136 improvement on match 1, with 2113 taking third spot. Bath, who had finished second in match 1, fielded only one archer and were 6th as a result. The top scoring individuals in the match were Joseph Tripp and Alex Rowe (both Plymouth) on 575 and 566, with top side Exeter anhcored by Jonathan Hui, one under 560.

In match 3 and on home turf, Exeter put in the highest SWWU score of the season, 2216 (against 2192 in match 1) to put a little distance between them and rest of the field. Bristol became the third different runner up in three matches, taking second spot on 2157, with Swansea edging in front of Plymouth by 6, 2125 to 2119. Joe Tripp (Plymouth) scored 575 for the third match in a row to top score for the third match in a row. Jamie Diep (Bristol) and Alex Rowe (Plymouth) both scored 569, whilst Gavin Tsang (Swansea) hit exactly 560. Exeter had the lowest high score of the top 4 (two 558s) - their greater strength in depth meant that their fourth score was 545 with 501 the best elsewhere.

In the corresponding novice fixtures, the honours were shared between Swansea (1st then 2nd) and Exeter (2nd then 1st). Bristol were a relatively close third both times. Harry Barnett (Exeter) 471 in match 2 and Riley Brightwell (Swansea) 460 in match 3, were the top individuals.

Starting last season, that is now 7 wins in a row for Exeter in what is a stronger and more competitive league. Perhaps crucially, Exeter's opponents have all taken points off each other - three different teams have finished second so far. After three fixtures, Exeter lead the table by 6 points. Plymouth are second on 24, with Bristol on 23 and Swansea on 22. In the novice table, things are a lot closer with Swansea-Exeter poised at 29-28, or two wins to one in favour of the Welsh side.

Next SWWU action takes place on Sat 16th Feb at Bristol. Although Bristol have hosted BUCS Indoor finals twice (2017 and 2018) they have never hosted a SWWU leg on home soil. That sequence will end with SWWU match 4.