With all teams in action every day for almost two weeks, the players achieved a high level of match fitness which contributed to an extremely high-quality last day of competition.
In an entertaining final, the Yodhas, seeded third, edged the first set after an arrow by Gatha Anandrao Khadake was marked up. In the second set the Royals came roaring back, with both their recurves, Bhakat and Gazoz, delivering huge tens to level it up.
In the third the Yodhas took a 4-2 lead against the Royals, with their third set shot completely clean for 80 points out of 80 – the first time it had happened in the competition.
In the fourth set, the Yodhas were in control, with Matias Grande needing only a nine to win it as called. But he shot an eight, and an upgraded arrow from the Royals made it all square.
The title would be decided by a shoot-off, with the unique APL hit-or-miss format: a single spot target, yellow on red. (The compound target spot is 4cm across at 50m, and the recurve target 6.1cm at 70m – the same sizes as the x-rings on normal 80cm and 122cm faces).
Each archer of the four selected for the match on each team shot one arrow. Gibson and Deotale hit their spot for the Royals, with no other archer managing to get a hit on target. It was enough for the win – and a large financial bonus for the champions.
