2009 London & Southern Counties Regional Championship - Runners & Riders - Fourth Section

The Talisman has been causing all sorts of problems all over the country, so how will the 16 bands here fare with it?

Sunday 22nd March
Adjudicator: Roy Roe
Test Piece: The Talisman – Frank Hughes

Draw: 11.00
Commences: 12.00 noon 

Amersham
Conductor: I. Hogan 

Last 13 Years:
2008: 6th (A. Duguid)
2007: 15th (A. Duguid)
2006: 15th (A. Fawbert)
2005: 16th (A. Fawbert)
2004: DNC
2003: 17th in Third Section (A. Fawbert) (rel)
2002: 13th (A. Fawbert)
2001: 4th in Fourth Section (prom)
2000: 13th
1999: 21st 
1998: 13th
1997: N/K
1996: DNC

A real contesting upturn for Amersham last year after they jumped up nine places in the results table to post a fine 6th place.

More of that and they could be looking at a possible journey north to Harrogate, especially if they can reproduce the form that saw them come 2nd in the Third Section at the Folkestone contest late last year.  

Battle Town
Conductor: Jon Penton 

Last 13 Years:
2008: 9th (J. Penton)
2007: 12th (J.Penton)
2006: 7th (J. Penton)
2005: 10th (J. Penton)
2004: 4th (J. Penton)
2003: DNC
2002: DNC
2001: DNC
2000: DNC

Battle has been battling in the right direction it seems in the last few years, and after the disappointment of coming 12th in 2009 they turned that around to come a hard earned 9th last time around.

No real form to call upon in the last few months so can they continue on their upward trek in the results table? Fingers crossed.  

Bletchington Silver
Conductor: N. Hall 

Last 13 Years:
2008: 10th (N. Hall)
2007: 14th (N. Hall)
2006: =24th (S. Barwick)
2005: 2nd (S. Barwick)
2004: 18th (S. Barwick)
2003: 15th (S. Barwick)
2002: DNC
2001: DNC
2000: DNC
1999: DNC
1998: DNC
1997: DNC
1996: DNC
 
Another band making just the right progress in this section. Bletchington came a lowly 24th in 2006 and that has been improved to 10th last year.

More of that and a possible top six place may be on the musical agenda, especially if they can repeat the form that saw them come 5th at the Leamington Spa contest late last season.  

Bradwell Silver
Conductor: B. Keech

Last 13 Years:
2008: 15th (B. Keech)
2007: 15th in Third Section (C. Johnston) (rel)
2006: 14th (C. Johnston)
2005: 11th (K. Durbin)
2004: 5th (B. Keech)
2003: 12th (B. Keech)
2002: 4th (B. Keech)
2001: 13th (B. Keech)
2000: 15th (B. Keech)
1999: 6th in Fourth Section (prom)
1998: 6th
1997: N/K
1996: DNC

Bradwell found their feet last year in their first season back at this level following their relegation in 2007.

Now comes the first steps in the journey back to the Third Section, where they had a long old stay before dropping through the trap door.  

Charles Church Camberley
Conductor: R. Cherry 

Last 13 Years:
2008: 8th (R. Cherry)
2007: 7th (R. Cherry)
2006: 14th (R. Cherry)
2005: 20th (R. Cherry)
2004: 12th (R. Cherry)
2003: 13th (G. Hughes)
2002: 12th (G. Hughes)
2001: 20th (G. Hughes)
2000: 5th (G. Hughes)
1999: 17th
1998: 15th
1997: N/K
1996: 12th

Charles Church are now putting in real solid performances at this contest, and in the last two years they have hovered around around the top six. 

If they can just up their form a touch this year who knows, and they showed that they were in decent fettle after coming 8th in the Third Section at Folkestone late last season.  

Cobham
Conductor: David Ruel 

Last 13 Years:
2008: 11th (D. Ruel)
2007: DNC
2006: 20th (D.Ruel)
2005: 12th (D. Ruel)
2004: DNC
2003: 16th (T. Howard)
2002: DNC
2001: DNC
2000: 25th
1999: DNC
1998: DNC
1997: N/K
1996: DNC

Nice to see Cobham back again and after their solid showing last year in coming 11th they will be looking to aim a bit higher this time around.

David Ruel seems to have got the band on the right contesting track and if they can just up their form from their Folkestone appearance where they came 7th in the Third Section then who knows? 

Cold Ash Brass
Conductor: M. Clark 

Last 13 Years:
2008: 3rd (M. Clark)
Cold Ash Brass was founded in April 2003 and the band from just outside Newbury certainly showed themselves to be a dark horse of Foinavon proportions by coming 3rd last year.

That led to an appearance at Harrogate where they came 19th – but what an experience and one we are sure they will want to repeat this year too. Watch out then – the Newbury bookies have been warned.  

Harwich RBL
Conductor: A. Sanders

Last 13 Years:
2008: 13th (A. Sanders)
2007: 9th (A. Sanders)
2006: 5th (A. Sanders)

After such a fine debut performance in 2006, Harwich has just fallen off the pace in the last two years and they will want to get things back on track we are sure after coming 13th last time out.

No real form to call upon, so hopefully they will regain lost groud and once more challenge for a top ten place. 

Hemel Hempstead
Conductor: G. Weeks 

Last 13 Years:
2008: Winners (G. Weeks)
2007: DNC
2006: 13th in Third Section (G.Weeks) (rel)
2005: 17th (G. Weeks)
2004: 8th in Fourth Section (G. Weeks) (prom)
2003: 7th (G. Weeks)
2002: 7th (G. Weeks)
2001: 25th (G. Weeks)
2000: DNC
1999: DNC
1998: DNC
1997: N/K
1996: DNC

Last year’s winners return to try and make it two in row – and would you bet against them doing that after they took the title here in such fine style last year?

That led to a very fine performance in coming 6th at Harrogate and if they can produce that form again they will be heading back north for sure.  

Hilgay Silver
Conductor: K. Beckett 

Last 13 Years:
2008: 17th (K. Beckett)
2007: DNC (rel)
2006: DNC
2005: 12th (A. Clarke)
2004: 5th Fourth Section (A. Clarke) (prom)
2003: 3rd (A. Clarke)
2002: 11th (R. Smith)
2001: DNC
2000: 13th in Third Section (A. Broadbent) (rel)
1999: 9th
1998: 18th
1997: 3rd in Fourth Section (prom)
1996: 7th

An encouraging showing from Hilgay on their return back to the contest after a couple of years away.  Now they can start building on that foundation.

No real indication of current form but if they have been able to improve over the last 12 months a push towards the top 10 could be within their grasp. 

Jubilee Brass (Oxford)
Conductor: C. Sadler 

Last 13 Years:
2008: 7th (C. Sadler)
2007: 4th (C. Sadler)
2006: 19th (C. Sadler)
2005: 16th in Third Section (K. Membury) (rel)
2004: 11th (K. Membury)
2003: 16th (K. Membury)
2002: 3rd in Fourth Section (K. Membury) (prom)
2001: 22nd (K. Membury)
2000: 6th (K. Membury)
1999: DNC
1998: DNC
1997: DNC
1996: DNC

Another very good performance from Jubilee last year in coming 7th, even if it wasn’t quite enough to pip their 4th of 2007 and gain a qualification place for Harrogate.

We are sure they will want to put that right this weekend, so can they return north for the first time since 2002? 

King's Lynn Town
Conductor: S. Ingham

Last 13 Years:
2008: 12th (P. Mole)
2007: 5th (S. Ingham)
2006: 11th (S. Ingham)
2005: 8th (S. Ingham)
2004: 9th (S. Ingham)
2003: 13th (D. Taylor)
2002: 22nd (K. Mann)
2001: 12th (K. Mann)
2000: 8th (K. Mann)
1999: 27th
1998: DNC
1997: N/K
1996: DNC

A little up and down here over the last few years for King’s Lynn – 5th in 2007 and then 12th last year, but they have come a remarkably long way from their 27th spot a decade ago.

If they can just gain a bit more consistency then they should fancy themseves to push for another top six finish.   

Letchworth Garden City
Conductor: T. Welch 

Last 13 Years:
2008: 19th (T. Welch)
2007: 13th (T. Welch)
2006: 6th (T. Welch)
2005: DNC
2004: 15th in Third Section (T. Welch) (rel)
2003: 14th (T. Welch)
2002: 8th in Fourth Section (T. Welch) (prom)
2001: 8th (T. Welch)
2000: 13th (T. Welch)
1999: 17th
1998: DNC
1997: DNC
1996: DNC

Hopefully better results are around the corner for Letchworth as after posting a highly encouraging 6th place on their return in 2006, they have dropped away somewhat to come a lowly 19th last year.

There is only one way up then, and as we have said, hopefully that starts this weekend.   

MK Development Broseley
Conductor: D. Johnston 

Last 13 Years:
2008: 18th (D. Johnston)
2007: 18th (D. Johnston)
2006: =24th (D. Johnston)

Getting there slowly but surely for the great bunch at MK Development, and as the name suggests the contesting environment is being targeted to give young players experience.

Even youngsters get older though so hopefully that will mean an even stronger challenge from them this weekend. 

Royston Town
Conductor: S. Earley

Last 13 Years:
2008: 16th (S. Jones)
2007: 10th (S. Jones)
2006: 9th (S. Jones)
2005: 7th (G. Smith)
2004: DNC
2003: DNC
2002: 25th (J. Jones)
2001: 27th
2000: 28th
1999: 17th

Royston has just dropped away a little in the past couple of years after making such an encouraging return in 2005.

2008 has seen them post a decent 14th place at Butlins against a strong field of national rivals, so if that can be repeated or even bettered then a return to the top 10 may be on the cards. 

Wantage Silver B
Conductor: D. Dullforce

Last 13 Years:
2008: 4th (D. Dulforce)
2007: 8th (D. Dullforce)
2006: 13th (D. Dullforce)
2005: 17th (P. Uzzell)
2004: 21st (P. Uzzell)
2003: 11th (D. Dullforce)
2002: DNC
2001: DNC
2000: DNC
1999: DNC
1998: DNC
1997: N/K
1996: DNC
 
Ones to watch out for we think, after their performances in the last four years have been getting progressively better and better.

Last year they were very good value for their 4th place, just missing out on a trip to the National Finals and since then they have come 4th at the Leamington contest too. A Harrogate winning performance could be the next thing on the agenda then.  

Past Qualifiers:

2008: Hemel Hempstead, Tadley Concert Brass, Cold Ash
2007: Chalgrove, Great Yarmouth, Hungerford Town
2006: Thundersley Brass, Waterbeach Brass, Hungerford Town, Watford
2005: Norfolk Wherry Brass, Bletchington Silver, Fulham Town
2004: Waterbeach Brass, Potters Bar Town,. Fulham Brass
2003: Great Yarmouth Brass, Woodbridge Excelsior, Hilgay
2002: Sandhurst Silver, Hungerford Town, Jubilee Brass, Ware Brass
2001: Sandhurst Silver, Fulbourn and Taversham, Ware Brass
2000: Canterbury Youth, St. Sebastian's Wokingham, Amersham
1999: Canterbury Youth, St. Sebastian's Wokingham, St. Albans
1998: Stonesfield, Becontree Brass,
1997: Brent Brass, Becontree Brass,
1996: Southend, Becontree Brass, Chichester City
1995: Southend, Crystal Palace, Chichester City  

London bands at the Finals: 

2008: 6th, 16th, 19th
2007: 7th, 9th, 19th
2006: 9th, 13th, 14th, 22nd
2005: 5th, 16th, 18th
2004: 1st, 19th, 20th
2003: 13th, 16th, 21st
2002: 10th, 12th, 15th, 20th
2001: 3rd, 13th, 19th
2000: 11th, 15th, 16th
1999: 4th, 7th, 18th
1998: 5th, 8th   

4BR Prediction:

It is always extremely difficult to try and guess what will happen at a contest at this level, but we will give it a go.

Of the bands here we think it could well be a battle between reigning champions Hemmel Hempstead, Wantage Silver B, and Amersham for the title and the qualification places, with the likes of Jubilee Brass, Cold Ash and Cobham making up the top six. Our darkest of dark horses is Royston.

1. Hemel Hempstead
2. Wantage Silver B
3. Amersham
4. Jubilee Brass (Oxford)
5. Cold Ash
6. Cobham

Dark Horse: Royston

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