Thanks to Nick Butcher for this great take on being a competitor for the first time!
	A Competitor's view of Bannockburn Bowmen's Portsmouth on Sunday 10th January 2010.
	This was my first experience of shooting outside of the club.
	At first I thought I would be slightly apprehensive, but actually, after arriving at the Lornhills academy, the shooting hall for the Bannockburn Bowmen, it all felt right, thanks to the briefing Alex had given me on the previous Friday at Ardvreck.
	When the competition started I didn't feel nervous, only feelings of "I hope I don't let myself down", or in fact, the club.
	As the ends continued, and I would like to say now that my scoring wasn't that high, with a few arrows going a bit wild, I settled down and started to put all the things I had been taught into sequence.
	Not surprisingly, in the last six ends I improved and started to get better grouping and even a higher score!
	I only shot in the morning session but wished I had put myself down for the afternoon as by now I was, as they say, " In the zone" and thoroughly enjoying myself! In fact, I would highly recommend it !
	At the end of the competition I had scored 449, not my best, but a score I was happy with for now.
	I am also very grateful to John and Douglas for their support.
	The next competition to be held at Lornshill Academy will be the Open Vegas on Sunday 14 February. I am now in the process of sending away my entry form.
	It was mentioned to me, from a reliable source, that this, so they say, will be the first time it has been shot in Scotland??
	To see how we all did, click here!
	eds note: 'FYI - The Open Vegas requires formal dress code!' Open Vegas entry form in .pdf format can be downloaded here and the rules etc can be down loaded here.