How to break records.
Living with stress
(or children, it’s all the same!)
The Bowmen of Glen can be an idyllic venue for shoots. Depends on the weather. Last year we were nearly blown off the line and the shoot had to be cancelled. This year we have had two perfect days (that’s summer over, then!).
On May10th they hosted a York/Hereford/Bristols day and the sun shone from start to finish, with only the gentlest of breezes; perfect for high scoring hopefuls. Tom had his first Bristol 2 of the season, having flexed his muscles quite competently at a Hereford a couple of weeks earlier, and started really well. He knew the record was an impressive 1288, but it looked beatable to begin with. Then nerves and tension started to build up and a couple of reds at 60 yards made life a bit awkward. Another couple after a three-dozen break and the record was effectively out of reach, so now he could relax, enjoy the shoot and do his best. He finished on 1278 – a new regional and county record, and dropped his handicap to 18.
A couple of weeks later we were at Glen again. This time the sun was really blazing all day and hardly a flutter seen on the target flags. Tom started quite well, hardly any reds and, more importantly, loads of arrows going in the 10-ring. At lunch-time he said casually ‘I’m on 667 now. If I carry on like this I should double that by the end of the day. It’ll be a new PB and probably a county record.’ Really positive thinking. Good lad!
Tom Taylor in action...
The afternoon session began (ends of three arrows on the small faces – don’t we just love it!) and things were going well. The organisers had done their job properly and displayed the county, regional and national records on the display board at the reception area. Junior Gents Unlimited Compound Metric 2: 1335 points. This had been achieved in September 2005 by James Ward (LRCAA). I double-checked it. Could it really be? Yup, no misprints and guaranteed correct on the day. My heart started to flutter a bit. Do I tell Tom that the record is probably within his grasp or keep quiet about it and let him just get on with it?
By the change of distance at 9 dozen, Tom’s score was 1003, well within reach of 1335; 360 points available at just 30 metres. He only has to get 111 per dozen to beat it! I just had to keep quiet. Don’t let him know! Keep off the pressure!
But then some-one spoke. ‘Hey, Tom, do you know you’re close to the record?’
‘Am I?’, he asked, and strolled over to the display area.
You could sense the mounting excitement as the realisation of an achievable target loomed. Tom double- and triple-checked the 1335 figure. ‘I can do that,’ he said and went back to the shooting line.
Things went really well until he only had to achieve 44 in the last six arrows to beat the record. Two X’s and a 10 in the first three – he only needs 14 in the last three!
‘Oh no! I just shot the wrong target!’ shrieks a young lady a few targets away. Don’t pay attention, Tom! Concentrate on hitting your own target.
Then a delay. ‘Ladies and gentlemen, we have a bouncer.’ A minute or two delay; that’ll build up the tension nicely. The archer and judge take a leisurely walk to the target, check details and then return to the shooting line. Tom’s sweating a bit now. Finally the whistle sounds and the archers take up their positions for the last 3 arrows. I daren’t watch, though plenty of others do, supporting him silently. I tried to talk to another group of parents, taking my mind off it all.
Two minutes later – it seemed longer- an impish grin appears, followed by the rest of my son. ‘I’ve done it, two 10’s and a 9!’
Yee hah! Well done! Final score 1350, beating the record by 15 points. Congratulations from the organisers and the judges ensued. ‘Walk this way, lad, while we process your claim.’
A good round of applause for Tom as he collects his medal and trophy and a really jubilant drive home. This is a good score to send in for England selectors and another really low handicap achievement.
We sent the season’s high scores off for selection and received the news a few days later that Thomas has been selected as 1st reserve for the forthcoming Home Nations match. He was also encouraged to put any further high scores forward for the Junior Euronations Match in late July.
The thing is, the stress and excitement puts years on anxious parents, while our son just seems to be able to take it in his stride. Oh to be as laid back! Or was I like that as a teenager?
Pass the vallium, and let’s see what the rest of the season brings!
