The Jack Robins Challenge is held each year in memory of a former Wansdyke District Commissioner and archery instructor, who died in 2010.

This year, ten Cub Packs across Wansdyke District each sent two members to represent them at the District Archery Final.

The atmosphere was of a good-natured competition, with moments of frustration and others of elation! As a result of the event, many new friendships were made across different cub packs.

While the scores were being added up and checked, the archery coaches offered parents a go and found that they were even more impressed with their offspring’s achievements when they had tried it themselves!

The overall winner was calm under pressure, with a consistently excellent score each end, despite only having tried archery once or twice before.

First place: Matthew McClay from 1st Saltford Wolf Pack; second place: Isaac Phillips from Midsomer Norton Monday Pack; third place: Lachlan Taylor from High Littleton Hayeswood Pack.

The Jack Robins Trophy, Medals and Certificates were presented by Tina Curtis, District Commissioner.

Some of the young archers expressed interest in representing Avon County Scouts at the next National Scout Archery Competition in May 2019.

Martin Hutchings, Competition Organiser and County Archery Adviser, said: “This year, the quality of the archery is a fantastic increase on last year.

The highest score of 168 in 2017 was beaten this year by the top four archers, with a top score of 198.

“It was a pleasure to see Cubs enjoy the competition with great sportsmanship between them all.”

He went on to thank 1st Keynsham Scout Group for the use of its headquarters building, and expressed his hopes that events such as this will encourage more archery throughout Scouting.

John Mander