NOVICE archer Nick Wragg has joined one of the most exclusive sporting clubs after splitting the shaft of his first ever arrow with his second at York Archers Society, writes Claire Hughes.

The Acomb resident joined the Malton Road club with his nine-year-old son Ethan in August and was taking part in his first of six compulsory basics classes when he shot a Robin Hood into the gold area with his first two arrows from 20 yards.

A Robin Hood is the archery equivalent of a hole-in-one in golf where a second arrow goes through the knock - the end of the arrow which the string of the bow slots into - of one already in the target and gets lodged in the shaft.

It takes its name from the legendary Nottingham archer - dramatised in movies such as Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves - who is said to have won an archery contest by splitting an arrow.

The chances of scoring one are ranked at about 1,000-1 - and to do it with the first two arrows ever makes it all the more incredible. Some archers wait as much as 20 years to get their first Robin Hood.

Novice officer Phill Gough said: "I haven't seen a shot like it at the club for at least five years by seasoned archers - let alone a novice. Well done to him."

Updated: 13:00 Saturday, November 20, 2004