Clout shooting is a modern development of a traditional style of archery which comes from the military use of bows to shower arrows on the enemy from long range, and is shot over distances up to 180 yards.

There is only one target for each distance shot, and that is marked by a small flag in the ground ("clout" is an old English word meaning cloth).

Using either traditional longbows or modern recurve bows, competitors shoot high into the air and aim to get their arrows to land as close to the clout as possible, scoring between zero and five points per arrow, depending on how far from the clout itself the arrow lands.

This year's title for the full 180 yard distance was taken by Tony Robinson of Old Oundle Bowmen, with home archers Chris Bunting and Tony Homewood coming in second and third respectively.

The gents' 150 yard title was also a clean sweep for home archers, with Rob Paul, Roy Coulson and Dave Williams taking the top three places at this distance.

Visiting archers did achieve some success, however, with Jude Hall, from Targetcraft Archery Club in Desborough, taking the ladies 150 yard title with the top overall score for the day from any distance.

The full results sheet is available from the club website at www.oobac-archers. co.uk

Old Oundle Bowmen is committed to promoting archery in all its modern forms, and anyone interested in trying the sport can contact them or come along to join one of their beginners' courses.