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Welsh Regional Championship
Note:
4BR trawl many past results to bring you this preview and therefore
we occasionally make mistakes. If you do spot one, then please email
us the correct information and we'll amend the article as soon as
possible.
Fourth Section:
Brangwyn Hall, Swansea
Sunday 17th March
Adjudicator: Colin Hardy
Commences 11.00am
Competing
Bands: Abertillery and District (J. Harris): Conway Town (K. Jones):
Crwbin (A. Jones): Glynneath Silver (W. Cross): Goodwick Brass (D. Wheeler): Gwaun
cae Gurwen (R. Williams): Llanelli and District (R. Owen): Oakdale (R. Probyn):
Ogmore Valley (I. Barnett): Porthaethwy Menai Bridge (G. Saynor): Radyr and Morganstown
(G. Hann): Severn Tunnel (J. Williams): Ystradgynlais Public (A. Jones)
The Fourth Section sees 13 bands competing for the honour of representing the
Principality at the National Finals and hoping to repeat the triumph of Beaumaris
"B" and go on and win the title. Beaumaris in fact have the unique record
of actually taking the title twice with their senior outfit winning back in 1991.
Before that it was back to 1971 and Ebbw Vale who went and claimed the National
crown.
The bands will enjoy the Gordon Jacob test and they will have to
impress a very experienced judge at this level in Colin Hardy to get one of the
two qualification spots. Abertillery and District came 4th last year, after
coming 10th in 2000 and 3rd in 1999. They were 6th at Burry Port in the third
section, 2nd at Weston, 4th in Pontins and 4th at Treorchy (also in the 3rd section)
so they are a busy contesting band and will be hoping that their recent good form
holds up here. Meanwhile Conway Town were 6th here last year and will be hoping
to improve on that showing as they come down form the north of the Principality. Crwbin
were 11th here last year, but came 5th at the Burry Port contest so will be looking
to at least repeat that showing, whilst Glyneath will be hoping to improve on
last year's 5th place. They were relegated from the third section after coming
13th in 1999 and came 11th in 2000 in their first year here. They also recently
came 3rd at the Burry Port contest in the third section and third in the same
section at Ebbw Vale. Goodwick came 7th last year after not competing at
the contest in 2000. They were 15th in 1999 and recently came 3rd at the Burry
Port Contest. Gwaun cae Gurwen are a famous old Welsh banding name and they continue
to battle on in the lower sections. They are in the fourth section this year after
being relegated from the third following three years in which they came 12th in
1999, 7th in 2000 and 10th last year. They will be hoping for a quick return and
will be looking for a repeat of the form at Treorchy were they came 6th in the
second section late last year. Llanelli and District won the fourth section
here last year after coming 8th in 2000 and 10th in 1999, and went on to secure
18th place at the National Finals. They have been a busy contesting band and came
7th at Burry Port, 6th at Ebbw Vale and 3rd at Treorchy all in the third section.
Oakdale are another band that find themselves in the fourth section after three
years in the third where they came 11th for the last three outings here. They
performed well in the third section Welsh contest though and came 4th at Burry
Port, 7th at Ebbw Vale and 5th at Treorchy. Ogmore came 10th here last year
- their first in the section after relegation in 2000 after two years in which
they came 8th in 1999 and 10th in 2000. They will hope to repeat the form of last
year at the Welsh contest where they came 5th at Burry Port and Treorchy in the
second section. Porthaethwy Menai Bridge meanwhile were 8th last year after not
competing the year before. They were relegated from the third section after coming
9th in the third section in 1999.
Radyr and Morganstown are making their debut at the contest and
are reviving one of the most famous names in banding in that they
are using their links to the famous Mellingriffith band as part
of their band badge. They came 4th in their first outing at Treorchy
and are led by Gareth Hann. It is a most welcome debut.
Severn Tunnel came 13th here in 1999, 5th in 2000 and 9th last
year, but have really hit form of late and won both at Burry Port
and Treorchy to supplement their 3rd place at Ebbw Vale. They will
therefore be confident of winning the title if they can really play
to form. Ystradgynlais Public didn't compete last year but came
12th in 2000 and 8th the year before. They too are busy locally
and came 4th at Burry Port, 2nd at Ebbw Vale and 5th at Treorchy.
2001 Result:
1. Llanelli and District
2. Briton Ferry
3. Newbridge Celynen
4. Abertillery and District
5. Glynneath Silver
6. Conway Town 4BR Prediction: 1. Gwaun
cae Gurwen
2. Severn Tunnel
3. Glynneath Silver
4. Lanelli and District
5. Oakdale
6. Ogmore Valley Dark Horse: Conway Town
©
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