Straight shooters shine

STRAIGHT SHOOTERS: Marangai Archery Club mates Rob McMillan and Gustav Bam were standouts at the National Archery Outdoor Championships in Trentham last week.

Whanganuii straight shooter Rob McMillan has claimed his 28th national title and cemented his name in the record books at the National Archery Outdoor Championships at Trentham last week.

McMillan and wife Maureen were instrumental in setting up the Marangai Archers Club and accompanied several members down to the championships to brave the radically changing conditions in the Hutt Valley.

"It was a battle for our shooters," Maureen McMillan said.
"Wind, rain, sunshine, they coped the lot. The first day was spectacular but as the week went on the weather decided not to give them a break."

McMillan went into this national event lacking confidence after little or no practice leading up to the championship, but his class shone through.

McMillan won gold in his division on accumulated points from the 720 and 1440 shoots, silvers in the clout and match play and bronze in the field shoot. Marangai club mate Gustav Bam claimed bronze in his grade for points accumulated in the same events and also a bronze for the field shoot..

"The field shooting was wet and mucky and hard work for the guys climbing the hills and trying to retain their footing," Maureen McMillan said.

Kerry Ireland also shot for Marangai and got 1067 in the 1440, but was unplaced.

"Kerry has a sight disability, so for him his 90 metres was his personal best. Karl Hobman shot for Randwick (Wellington) but is a Marangai member and was also unplaced. His score was 1089. Karl is in a wheelchair and shot really well considering the rain and being saturated."

"The gold medal gave Rob his 28th national title and he was awarded the Champion of Champions certificate this year.

"The Marangai Archery Club is extremely proud of these guys as the club is new and to get such high placings out of 170 archers at national is a great achievement."