An amateur archer from Petersfield has pulled off a ‘Robin Hood’ shot just six months after taking up the sport.

Some archers go their whole lifetime without striking one arrow into the back of another.

But Taro centre worker Marie Barker achieved the 1 in 4,000 shot within less than a year of picking up a bow and arrow at Leaping Hart Archery in Midhurst.

The swimming instructor didn’t even realise she achieved the rare feat until walking up to the board. She said: “I had spent the morning doing my 252 awards but didn’t quite get the mark I was aiming for.

“We were set to pack up when my instructor Michael asked if anyone wanted to do one last go.

Marie Barker Robin Hood Petersfield archery
The odds of pulling off the shot are around 1 in 4,000. (Michael Chevis)

“I wasn’t really concentrating, just shooting while chatting and having a laugh.

“When we finished I walked up to the my target and I saw one arrow in the border, with another wedged in it.

“I told Michael and he came running over – he was so excited. They’re so wedged together.”

Michael was astounded as the Robin Hood shot – where one arrow embeds itself in another – is one of the rarest feats in the sport. She was only the second person in the club’s history to get one, and was later presented with a special ‘Robin Hood’ brooch for the achievement.

Michael said: “Most people shoot a lifetime and don’t achieve it, yet she only started with us early in the year.”

“I don’t know if I will be able to do it again,” said Marie, who will display the embedded arrows at home.

“I’ve messed up two arrows, though,” she joked

“When I took it out of the board they were struck together. I was so careful in carrying them back to my car.”