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Yorkshire Regional Championships
First Section:
We run through the list of competing bands battling
it out for the two qualification spots for Torquay.
First
Section: Sunday 3rd March
Adjudicator: Roy Roe
Commences: 11.45am Competing Bands: Yorkshire Evening Post (Sharlston)
(I. Radcliffe): Barnsley Building Society (C. Hirst): Chapletown Silver (A. Dennis):
Holme Silver (I. Scott): Kippax (I. Colley): Knottingly Silver (K. Belcher): Peter
Hawke Garages Lindley (N. Jowett): Stannington Brass (J. Hopkinson): Wakefield
Metropolitan (B. Dyson). With four bands moving up a section yet none coming
in the opposite direction, the First Section has a somewhat anaemic feel to it
with only nine bands competing for the two places available for the trip to sunny
Torquay later in the year. Last year saw the two form bands in Stocksbridge
and Pennine Brass take the top places with some comfort and with Marden (who came
5th) and Drighlington (6th) also gone up to the Championship Section the main
favourites would appear to be the bands that filled the 3rd and 4th places last
year. Chapletown were third here last time out and have improved greatly since
2000, when they came 11th and last. They were 15th at Pontins and so will be looking
for a return to the form that saw them perform so well last year. The real
form horses however should be last years 4th placed band, Peter Hawke Garages
Lindley for whom 2001 was an exceptional year of achievement. Following the Regionals
they won the Senior Cup contest at Spring Belle Vue and went on to take the Pontins
title to boot. They also beat many Championship bands in the process and were
voted the 4BR "Lower Section Band of the Year" so they should be full
of confidence to go with the style and undoubted talent around the stand. They
could in fact be playing at the British Open if things go to plan this year. Could
this be the start of it? Knottingley Silver will be hoping to continue on
their successful progress up through the sections, and last years Second Section
winners should be able to challenge for honours this year. Kevin Belcher has given
the band a secure foundation and even though they failed to impress at Pontins
where they were 10th they did show at the Lower Section National Finals that they
could play to a very high standard, when they came 4th. One to watch out for. Yorkshire
Evening Post (Sharlston) were 9th here last year and will be keen to continue
their improvement as they were 4th in Second Section in 2000, whilst Holme Silver
will be hoping to gain a higher placing than the 8th places of the past two years.
After coming up as Second Section Champions in 1999 they have made progress but
will now be hoping to take the next step forward. Stannington Brass will also
be full of confidence at doing well as they won the Pontins Second Section title
late last year and were promoted even though they could only manage 6th in the
same section here last year, whilst Kippax and Ian Colley have performed consistently
here and in the last three years have come 7th, 10th and 6th. This may be the
year in which they get in the prizes. Finally, Barnsley Building Society
will also be hoping for a return to the form that saw them come 5th in 2000 and
come third in the Miners Championships last year, and the form of 1999 when they
were the champions here, whilst Wakefield Metropolitan will be hoping for an improvement
on last year's 11th place and 14th place at Pontins. They have been around the
bottom of the section for the last couple of years so they will be keen to make
more of an impact this year and try and get a repeat of their 5th place in 1999. It
should be a fine work out for the bands on the under estimated set test, "Royal
Parks" so don't be surprised if one or two of the more fancied bands come
a cropper. We think it may go to form though. 2001 Result
1. ASDA Stocksbridge
2. Pennine Brass
3. Chapletown Silver
4. Peter Hawke Garages Lindley
5. Marsden Silver
6. Drighlington 4BR Prediction: 1. Peter
Hawke Garages Lindley
2. Chapletown Silver
3. Stannington Brass
4. Yorkshire Evening Post (Sharlston)
5. Barnsley Building Society
6. Holme Silver Dark Horse: Barnsley Building Society
© 4BarsRest
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