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Post Match Analysis:
North West Regional Championships 2002
First Section:
Adjudicator: Goff Richards
Sunday March 10th
Empress Ballroom
Commences: Approx 10.30pm
Results:
1. Pemberton Old Wigan (A. Lawton): 190 1
2. Ashton Under Lyne (J. Maines): 189 11
3. Roberts Bakery (C. Cranson): 188 10
4. Vernon Building Scoiety Poyton (M. Obermuller): 187 12
5. United Co-op (Crewe) (J. Sparkes): 186 5
6. Dobcross Silver (TBA): 185 9
7. Tyldesley (M. Peacock): 184 8
8. Stalybridge Old (A. White): 183 2
9. Dobcross Youth (T. Griffiths): 182 7
10. Hawk Green (Marple): 180 6
11. United Nowest Co-op Milnrow (D. Hebb): 179 4
12 Blackburn and Darwen (E. Landon): 178 3
Top two qualify
Whenever a brass band competition takes place, their is a fair
bet that within the banding media, a debate will take place about
'pre-draw', 'split-draw', 'too many bands in one section' and 'no-one
will ever win off a number one draw'. You'd be well advised not
to say that to members of Pemberton Old in Wigan who drew number
one in the First Section on Sunday and won, playing George Lloyd’s
“Royal Parks”.
Under Alan Lawton, the band rose to the challenge of the draw that
nobody wants a with a very commanding and confident rendition of
this test piece - maybe the adrenalin was still flowing from the
pre-contest rehearsal, but nevertheless, it was good enough for
Goff Richards to award them first place and a trip to Torquay in
September. Expected to do well, Stalybridge drew number two and
had a bad day at the office. It was very noticeable that the contest
hall had a very lively acoustic and as a result some of the detail
of the music was lost from many of the bands that competed. That
was certainly this case with Stalybridge.
In his remarks to the audience before the results, Goff Richards
stated that as with the Midlands first section a week earlier, no
bad performances were made, but the key to success was that he was
'looking for performances in the style that Lloyd wanted'. With
this in mind, the last three competing bands (Roberts Bakery, Ashton-Under-Lyne
and Vernon Building Society Poynton) had a mini-tussle with themselves
to get the other remaining place for the finals, but each performance
had quality within it and along with Pemberton Old set themselves
apart from the other bands.
Roberts Bakery and Colin Cranson were drawn number ten and seemed
at home with the piece and the hall in general - this band has been
in the Championship section for a number of years and having been
awarded a third place, you get a hunch that it won't be too long
before they compete in the top section again.
Ashton-Under-Lyne is a band that was reformed during the 1990’s,
and with some good players and leadership of Martyn Evans rose through
the sections right to the top, and although back in section one,
showed what a quality outfit they are. Under the experienced John
Maines, the band played number eleven and the performance was very
assured and the second and third movements stood out. This was enough
to give them that coveted second place and you wouldn't bet against
them making a big impact come Torquay in September.
Last band on stage was Poynton and once again a very strong and
confident performance that gave them a well-deserved fourth place.
The band can consider themselves a touch unfortunate not to have
got a higher placing, but the north west first section is a tough
one.
Special mention should be made of Dobcross Youth under Ted Griffiths
- yes a youth band in the first section, but drawn seventh they
were awarded ninth place, which was a superb achievement. Nothing
but experience can be gained from playing at this level, and it
will surely come to pass in the future years, that many of these
playing are gracing the top bands in the land. With tremendous support
from parents and helpers, the youngsters demonstrate extreme maturity
and everyone will wish them well as they will get better and better.
Before the announcement of the results, the regional secretary,
Peter Bates awarded three certificates to representatives of bands
for long service and one special award for a non-bandsperson. Prior
to the announcement, many people didn't know the gentlemen's name,
but knew who he was. Jack Binns has supported brass bands up and
down the land for over fifty years. On Sunday, he shook the hand
of every competitor in the first section before they went on stage.
If Jack is unknown to you, then you'll soon discover if you have
been in Jack's company or not. When the compere/conductor says 'good
morning. good afternoon etc' and a voice booms back 'good afternoon'
then Jack is in the hall. As soon as this announcement was made,
a spontaneous round of applause and standing ovation broke out in
the Spanish Hall and a visibly moved Jack, went forward to collect
his certificate.
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