2005 Regionals: Wales - Preview: Third Section

The Welsh have their own whiskey, and plenty of trouble from their wives, but who can overcome all that plus the Devil as well?

Date: Saturday 12th March
Adjudicators: Alan Morrison
Test Piece: Tam O'Shanter's Ride - Denis Wright
Commences: 11.30
Draw: 10.30

No photo? Please send a JPEG to: stating the conductors name, your band, your region and section.

Harlech
Conductor: TBA

Last Nine Years:
2004: 8th (H. Evans)
2003: Winners of Fourth Section (prom) (H. Evans)
2002: 9th 3rd Section (rel) (H. Evans)
2001: 9th 3rd Section (H. Evans)
2000: 11th 3rd Section (H. Evans)
1999: Winners (prom)
1998: DNC
1997: DNC
1996: DNC

Harlech will certainly be looking to see if they can make a mark here after coming last 12 months ago in this section. They will need to if they are to stop the threat of relegation looming over them. They could well do it, but history may suggest they may struggle once more at this higher level.  

Llanelli and District
Conductor: T. Jenkins

Last Nine Years:
2004: DNC
2003: 10th (R. Owen)
2002: 7th 4th Section (prom) (R. Owen)
2001: Winners 4th Section (R. Owen)
2000: 8th 4th Section (R. Owen)
1999: 10th 4th Section
1998: 15th (rel)
1997: 6th
1996: N/K

A welcome return this year for Llanelli and District after they didn't compete here last year. That was a great shame as they have been worthy competitors over the past nine years, although after being promoted in 2003 they found the step up a big one. Lets hope they come back refreshed and on form then.  

Newbridge Celynen
Conductor: P. Holland

Last Nine Years:
2004: 4th (P. Holland)
2003: Winners (P. Holland)
2002: 8th (K. Gibbs)
2001: 3rd 4th Section (prom) (K. Gibbs)
2000: 3rd 4th Section (D. Short)
1999: 8th 4th Section
1998: 12th (rel)
1997: 14th
1996: 2nd 4th Section (prom)

Possibly the favourites to win the title here this year after the disappointments of 12 months ago when they tried to blow their way to victory and came a cropper. They have been on good form of late and should have enough experience in the ranks to at least get to Harrogate and possibly even as champions. 

Newtown
Conductor: S. Edwards

Last Nine Years:
2004: Winners (S. Edwards)
2003: 8th in Second Section (rel) (H. Gibb)
2002: DNC
2001: DNC
2000: 4th 3rd Section (prom) (S. Edwards)
1999: 6th 3rd Section
1998: 2nd 3rd Section
1997: 10th (rel)
1996: 9th

Last year's winners return under the baton of the talented Steve Edwards and they will surely be looking for a return to Harrogate where they can banish the bad memories of coming last there in the finals. That was a great pity as they were certainly brave enough to opt for a different approach there, and they had plenty of quality about their playing on the day. 

Ogmore Valley
Conductor: I. Barnett

Last Nine Years:
2004: 3rd (I. Barnett)
2003: 2nd (I. Barnett)
2002: 11th (T. Charlton)
2001: 10th (T. Charlton)
2000: 10th 3rd Section (rel) (T. Charlton)
1999: 8th 3rd Section
1998: 13th 3rd Section
1997: 6th 3rd Section
1996: N/K

The popular Ivor Barnett has been doing sterling work down in Ogmore for the past few years and his hard work and dedication has certainly paid off in the past couple of years with a runners up spot in 2003 and third place last year. Some more of that form could well see them challenge for a Harrogate finals place once more. 

Porthaethwy Menai Bridge
Conductor: C. Williams

Last Nine Years:
2004: 5th (G. Saynor)
2003: 3rd in Fourth Section (prom) (C. Williams)
2002: 2nd in Fourth Section (G. Saynor)
2001: 8th in Fourth Section (P. Jones)
2000: DNC
1999: 9th 3rd Section (rel)
1998: 7th 3rd Section
1997: 6th 3rd Section
1996: N/K

5ht place last year was testament to a fine performance from the band from North Wales and under their new MD they will certainly be looking to improve on that result and hopefully challenge for a qualification place at least. They showed that after coming from the Fourth Section that they could mix it at a higher level, so maybe a band to listen out for this time. 

Radyr and Morganstown
Conductor: G. Hann

Last Nine Years:
2003: 4th Fourth Section (G. Hann) (prom)
2002: 5th (G. Hann)
2001: DNC
2000: DNC
1999: DNC
1998: DNC
1997: DNC
1996: DNC

The rise and rise of Radyr and Morganstown continues at pace it seems, and under the baton of the very talented young Gareth Hann they could well be in line to feature once more in the prize list. Promoted up from the Fourth Section, they could be in with a shout of doing very well. 

Trefor
Conductor: G. Jones

Last Nine Years:
2004: 6th (G. Jones)
2003: 4th (G. Jones)
2002: 5th (G. Jones)
2001: 7th Second Section (rel) (G. Jones)
2000: DNC
1999: 4th
1998: 6th
1997: 3rd
1996: N/K

Trefor have been nothing if not consistent over the past three years in this section and have hovered around the top podium places on each occasion. If they can just up that form a little this year they could well push for a finals place in Harrogate.  

Past Qualifiers:

2004: Newtown Silver, Royal Buckley
2003: Newbridge Celynen, Conway Town
2002: Blaenavon Town, Briton Ferry
2001: Beaumaris B, Cwmbran
2000: Royal Oakeley, Lalnrug
1999: Rhyl, Ynyshir Welfare
1998: Ebbw Vale, Newtown
1997: Deiniolen, Pontardulais
1996: Deiniolen, Rhyl Silver
1995: Deiniolen, Rhyl Silver

Welsh bands at the Finals:

2004: 11th, 19th
2003: 6th, 17th
2002: 4th, 19th
2001: 8th, 14th
2000: 14th, 16th
1999: 10th, 15th
1998: 10th, 14th

4BR Prediction:

This should be a good contest to go and listen to, although the test piece will certainly be a stern examination for all the eight bands here. Whether they can overcome the technical difficulties remains to be seen, but they will surely have fun trying.

Of the bands here, one does stand out as being the form horse – Newbridge Celynen, and they should have enough experience and form about them to come home if not as champions, then as qualifiers at least.

Joining them in Harrogate should be last year's winners Newtown Silver who also have the experience both in the band and at the helm to do well, whilst the final podium position could well go to Menai Bridge. Radyr shoud be able to make an impression by coming well into the top six whilst Ogmore Valley and Harlech should take up the remaining places. Our dark horse is Trefor.

1. Newbridge Celynen
2. Newtown Silver
3. Porthaethwy Menai Bridge
4. Radyr and Morganstown
5. Ogmore Valley
6. Harlech

Dark Horses: Trefor

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