VICTORY in the oldest recorded sporting competition in the world has been claimed by an archer from North Yorkshire - but bowman Derek Wilcock was anything but amused when he clinched the Antient Silver Arrow because he robbed himself of a place in history.

The 308th annual competition of the Society of Archers was held in Bedale with more than 100 archers battling it out with traditional long bows for the coveted title, which dates back to 1673 when the very first event was held at Scorton near Richmond.

The Captain is declared when the first arrow hits the black spot from 100 yards. But Mr Wilcock, from Carlton Miniott, near Thirsk, had high hopes of getting the second place of Lieutenant - the first one to get the arrow in the red spot.

He has been Lieutenant three times previously and to get it for a fourth time would have put him in the history books.

“The annoying thing is I got the red spot first which meant I would have had the Lieutenancy four times, but then I put the arrow in the black spot and so won the Arrow," he said. "I am pleased in many ways but I never really wanted to win it.

“If you win, you become Captain of the Arrow which means you have to organise next year’s event and that can be quite a task. My wife Linda is an archery judge, I’m not looking forward to telling her because there could be a divorce."

Last year’s winner Tom Fewz, from Northallerton, had organised the event at Bedale High School. It has to be held within Yorkshire, but attracts archers from far and wide.

One bowman had come from India, and others from southern Ireland. Mr Fewz had hoped to get in the history books himself by winning it for two consecutive years, but it was not to be.

He said: “It’s a wonderful day - many of these archers will not have seen each other since last year. It is the camaraderie of the competition, these guys are the Time Lords of the archery world.

“It is marvellous to see everyone, sadly I didn’t get the Arrow but organising the competition does make it a bit more difficult and maybe I will get it again in future years."

Andrew Neal, clerk of the Society, said: "It’s gone really well. It’s such a great tradition within the world of archery - the competition is only held once a year but it’s keenly fought, and it’s been won by a local bowman for the second year.”