2006 Welsh Regional Championships - First Section

It may only be a smallish field, but there should be plenty for Malcolm Brownbill to admire as the Welsh take to the high seas on Goff Richards difficult set work.

Deiniolen
Conductor: W. Williams

Last Ten Years:
2005: Winners of Second Section (prom) (G. Saynor)
2004: 4th (W. Williams)
2003: 5th (R. Wyatt)
2002: 9th 1st Section (rel) (J. Cant)
2001: 9th (E. Landon)
2000: 4th (R. Wyatt)
1999: 4th in 2nd Section (prom)
1998: 2nd
1997: Winners 3rd Section (prom)
1996: Winners

It is fair to say that Deiniolen were excellent here in Swansea last year when they won the Second Section in fine style under Gavin Saynor, but absolutely awful when it came to the Finals at Harrogate where they came 16th and last. There they had one of those horror shows that every band has once in a lifetime, so hopefully that was a one off to be consigned to the dustbin of time. If they repeat their Swansea form though they could well fancy their chances of doing well and getting a quick chance to exorcise those Harrogate ghosts.

Llanrug
Conductor: John Maines

Last Ten Years:
2005: 5th (T. Wyss)
2004: Winners Second Section (prom) (G. Saynor)
2003: Winners (G. Saynor)
2002: 3rd (P. Hughes)
2001: 3rd 3rd Section (prom) (P. Hughes)
2000: 2nd 3rd Section (P. Hughes)
1999: 7th 3rd Section
1998: Winners 4th Section (prom)
1997: 11th 3rd Section (rel)
1996: N/K

Llanrug have impressed many observers over the past coupe of years when they were double winners of the Second Section titles in 2003 and 2004 and put in a very strong performance under Thomas Wyss that unluckily saw them come home in 5th place last time out. If they can repeat that again here they should be more than in with a shout come the results, and the experienced John Maines should bring a lot of control to their performance.

Markham and District
Conductor: Nigel Seaman

Last Ten Years:
2005: 7th (N. Seaman)
2004: 2nd Second Section (prom) (N. Seaman)
2003: 7th in First Section (rel) (A. Jones)
2002: 10th (N. Seaman)
2001: 4th 2nd Section (prom) (N. Seaman)
2000: 3rd 2nd Section (N. Seaman)
1999: 3rd 2nd Section
1998: 7th 2nd Section
1997: 5th 2nd Section
1996: 8th 2nd Section

Markham are certainly on the up and they showed that to fine effect at Butlins where they claimed a very well deserved 3rd place under Nigel Seaman. They have been threatening to do that for some time now and it should fill them with confidence as they head to Swansea and try to improve on their 7th place of a year ago. Ones to watch out for then.    

Northop Silver
Conductor: Thomas Wyss

Last Ten Years:
2005: 6th (B. Baker)
2004: 9th Championship Section (rel) (B. Baker)
2003: 9th (C. Roberts)
2002: 7th (C. Roberts)
2001: 3rd (I. Porthouse)
2000: 8th (I. Porthouse)
1999: 4th
1998: DNC
1997: 6th
1996: 2nd

Great to see this combination back. A decade ago Thomas Wyss and Northop were as good a top section band in Wales as any and qualified for the Finals in 1995 and 1996. They have gone through some lean times of late but put in a solid effort here last year under the baton of Brett Baker. We think the return of Mr Wyss though will give them that little bit of extra they are looking out for and they could be strong contenders for a Harrogate place, especially after a good outing in coming 10th at Brass at the Guild Hall contest.  

Penclawdd
Conductor: Tony Small

Last Ten Years:
2005: 8th (T. Small)
2004: 3rd (T. Small)
2003: 2nd in Second Section (prom) (T. Small)
2002: Winners in Second Section (N. Seaman)
2001: 8th 1st Section (rel) (T. Small)
2000: 6th 1st Section (T. Small)
1999: 6th 1st Section
1998: 7th 1st Section
1997: 8th Championship (rel)
1996: 8th Championship

Nice to see Penclawdd doing well again after a few years when they dropped down through the sections after being Championship Regional winners back in 1986. Last year they fell away off the pace when they tried a bit to hard to impress through sheer volume rather than the usual well balanced sound Tony Small gets from his band. A lesson learnt we think and if they play to form they have the talent around the stands to more than make a challenge for a podium place once more.   

Pontardulais Town
Conductor: Paul Jenkins

Last Ten Years:
2005: 3rd (A. Jones)
2004: 4th (M. Faro)
2003: 8th (D. Mahoney)
2002: 6th (B. Buckley)
2001: 5th (B. Buckley)
2000: 3rd (B. Buckley)
1999: 2nd 2nd Section (prom)
1998: Winners 2nd Section
1997: 2nd 3rd Section (prom)
1996: 3rd 3rd Section

A band certainly moving in the right direction on paper, and we hope, on stage. They tend to go through their conductors at a fair old lick though and Paul Jenkins is number five in as many years to take to the stage here with the band. 3rd last year was a decent return, but they sounded a little scratchy and inconsistent at Butlins and could only manage 11th place. A new MD since then, so who can tell what Swansea brings?   

Rogerstone
Conductor: Graham O'Connor

Last Ten Years:
2005: 9th (C. Thomas)
2004: 7th (C. Thomas)
2003: 4th (C. Thomas)
2002: 4th (C. Thomas)
2001: 4th (C. Thomas)
2000: Winners 2nd Section (prom) (A. MacDonald)
1999: 5th 2nd Section
1998: 5th 2nd Section
1997: 3rd (rel)
1996: 8th

That old workaholic Graham O'Connor comes to Wales again to take the Rogerstone Band, and you can be sure that he will make sure they have worked their socks off in preparation for this one. They will have needed to have as well as they could only manage 9th place last year and since winning the Second Section title here in 2002 and promising much, they have fallen off the pace in recent years.  Time for that to change then.   

Thomas Coaches Mid Rhondda
Conductor: Alan Gibbs

Last Ten Years:
2005: 9th in Championship Section (rel) (A. Gibbs)
2004: 7th (A. Gibbs)
2003: 8th (A. Gibbs)
2002: 2nd 1st Section (prom) (A. Gibbs)
2001: 9th (rel) (N. Seaman)
2000: 9th (N. Seaman)
1999: 8th
1998: Winners 1st Section
1997: 4th 1st Section
1996: 2nd 1st Section

The hardworking Thomas Coaches were doing well in the Championship Section and more than holding their own, so they can count themselves a touch unlucky that they fell through the relegation trap door. That may not be too much of a bad thing all told though and they put up a pretty good performance at Porthcawl to beat a couple of Championship bands. With new players in the ranks they could set themselves up for a qualification place at least this time around.  

Wrexham Brass (Newi)
Conductor: Wayne Ruston

Last Ten Years:
2005: 2nd (W. Ruston)
2004: 2nd (W. Ruston)
2003: 6th (W. Ruston)
2002: 9th Championship (rel) (W. Ruston)
2001: DNC
2000: Winners First Section (as Rhos Silver) (prom) (I. Davey)
1999: 2nd (as Rhos) First Section
1998: 2nd (as Rhos) First Section
1997: Winners 2nd Section (as Rhos) (prom)
1996: 2nd 2nd Section (as Rhos)

Wayne Ruston and his band will be confident of making the long trip down south worthwhile once more this year after recording their second successive runners up spot last year and going on to come 5th at Harrogate. A repeat of that kind of form should hold them in good stead and they could well be booking rooms in B&B in Harrogate once again. 

Past Qualifiers:

2005: Parc and Dare, Wrexham Brass
2004: Parc and Dare, Wrexham Brass
2003: Treherbert and District, Abergavenny Borough
2002: Abergavenny Borough, Thomas Coaches Mid Rhondda
2001: Beaumaris, Treherbert and District
2000: Rhos Silver, Tongwynlais Temperance
1999: Burry Port, Rhos Silver
1998: Thomas Coahes Mid Rhondda, Rhos Silver
1997: Beaumaris, Burry Port
1996: Abergavenny, Thomas Coaches Mid Rhondda
1995: Beaumaris, Tongwynlais Temperance

Welsh Bands at the Finals:

2005: 5th, 10th
2004: 2nd, 13th
2003: 13th, 16th
2002: 2nd, 11th
2001: 3rd, 12th
2000: 10th, 16th
1999: 6th, 14th
1998: 11th, 14th

4BR Prediction:

This has the real makings of a cracking little contest. A whole host of bands on the up are here this year and will be fighting it out like made to get one of the two qualification places up for grabs for Harrogate.   There is a very strong North Wales contingent, some quality bands from the West and more than a couple that fancy their chances from the South of the country, so you can see why it promises so much.

There are however a couple of bands that do stick out and Wrexham (NEWI) and Northop could well pose a real challenge against the likes of Markham and District and Thomas Coaches and we think the two qualification places will come from this well matched bunch.

The remainder of the top six though should come from Pontardulais and Llanrug with Deiniolen as our dark horses.

1. Thomas Coaches Mid Rhondda
2. Northop
3. Wrexham (NEWI)
4. Markham and District
5. Llanrug
6. Pontardulais

Dark Horse: Deiniolen

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