Crossword Genius

Sustained response to applause for the archers (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

longbows

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'applause for the archers' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this definition defines the answer.

'sustained response' is the wordplay.
'sustained' becomes 'long' (I've seen this before).
'response' becomes 'bows' (I can't justify this - if you can you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'long'+'bows'='LONGBOWS'

'to' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Another definition for longbows that I've seen is " Powerful infantry weapons used against the French at Agincourt, 1415".)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.
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