2010 Scottish Regional Championship - Second Section - Runners & Riders
5-Mar-2010The Scots need to put one over the Welsh and this is their chance to do just that if they are to get to Harrogate.
Saturday 13th March
Adjudicators: Nigel Seaman & Chris Wormald
Test Piece: The Kingdom of Dragons (Philip Harper)
Draw: 14.40pm
Commences: 16.10pm approx
No one north of the border needs reminding that you should never write off the Welsh.
Just a few weeks ago, the rugby dragon at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff was subdued and beaten, only for the Scots to lose their heads, lose two players and end up losing everything else in the last minute of the game.
Pontypool front row
All that and they are now faced with a piece of music which three quarters of the way though celebrates the infamous Pontypool front row. Talk about kicking someone when they are down… and there is a Welshman in the box too.
Still, it should ensure that not one of these 12 bands will take potential victory for granted even if they have just about made it through to the end of Philip Harper’s ‘The Kingdom of Dragons’ with plenty of points on the board.
Come this particular final whistle, two bands should be left standing who thoroughly deserve to get through to Harrogate. Once they get there though they will be faced with perhaps an even greater challenge.
Last year’s representatives came 10th & 11th – not bad, but nothing to shout home about given that you have to go back to 1996 for the last time a band (both on that occasion) finished in the top six. You have to go back to 1997 for the last time Scotland won the National title.
Competitive bands
Still, there is a batch of competitive bands here (which include two relegated from the First Section and two promoted from the Third), boosted by the growing influx of talented players and conductors starting to make their mark at this level.
Perhaps the favourite at the Glenrothes bookies with be Coalburn Silver conducted by rising star, Gareth Bowman.
Third Section winners and Band of the Year in 2009, as well as Fife champions and Scottish Cup victors, they also produced perhaps the best performance of any Scottish band at the Nationals in coming an unlucky 5th at Harrogate.
If they have been able to build on that they should be confident of making a return trip south of the border in September.
Solid
The other promoted band, Dunfermline Town will also be looking forward to their first appearance in the Second Section after a 5-year stay in the Third. David Neil is moulding a solid contesting outfit, as they showed in their qualification for Harrogate last year (where they came 13th) and their encouraging 5th place at the Scottish Open Cup.
Just as determined to make an immediate mark will be the two relegated bands from the First Section, Barrhead Burgh and St Ronan’s Silver.
Barrhead has fallen away in the past couple of years in the First Section, but the 2004 winners will be looking to repeat that feat under the command of the inspirational Lynda Nicholson.
St Ronan’s meanwhile also found life tough in the higher section and the 2007 winner here returned after coming 10th. Charlie Farren is a gifted conductor who could well put the band back on track on the weekend.
Each way bets
There should be quite a few each way bets on Tullis Russell Mills as the band look to finally break something of a bad luck streak and finally gain a qualification spot for Harrogate after three near misses. John Hinckley is a conductor who can make that extra difference, and his experience could prove vital.
Taking of experience, none come with more than the other Russell on show this weekend – Russell Gray. He will be taking a bit of time out from conducting Co-operative Funeralcare to put the finishing touches to Jedforest’s challenge as they look to reverse some declining fortunes in the past three years.
Sad occassion
It will be something of a sad occasion for Granite City this weekend as they take to the stage following the death of the man who really put the band on the map - David James.
He would have been delighted by the way the band has picked up of late though under the baton of Robert Owen as they look to book their place at Harrogate on the back of a fine 2nd place at the Scottish Challenge Shield.
2002 winners Croy will be looking to return to better contesting days under the direction of Ken Blackwood after coming 8th last year, whilst Dalkeith & Monktonhall and Jim Chamberlain will also be looking to move up the results table after coming 7th.
Up their game
City of Discovery won here in 2006 and return looking to push for a qualification place after coming 5th last time out, whilst Selkirk Silver will know that they will have to up their game and return to the contesting form that saw them bag two consecutive podium finishes in 2006 and 2007, if they are to stave off any potential relegation threat.
That leaves the consistent Shotts St Patrick’s who will be conducted by the experienced Mike Marzella, who last took the band here in 2008. They come to the contest looking to build on an encouraging 7th place at the Scottish Challenge Shield.
As for a winner?
A couple of the bands stick out this year for us, with Coalburn’s short odds making them a favourite for a qualification spot or better. Tullis Russell Mills should rid themselves of their near miss syndrome and join them at Harrogate, whilst they could be pushed all the way by Granite City and City of Discovery.
Barrhead Burgh and Dalkeith should make up the top six with our dark horse, Jedforest.
4BR Prediction:
1. Coalburn
2. Tullis Russell Mills
3. Granite City
4. City of Discovery
5. Barrhead Burgh
6. Dalkeith & Monktonhall
Dark Horse: Jedforest Instrumental
Barrhead Burgh
Conductor: Lynda Nicholason
Last 14 Years:
2009: 9th in First Section (M. Ramsay) (rel)
2008: 4th (M. Ramsay)
2007: 8th (C. Bradley)
2006: 2nd in Second Section (C. Bradley) (prom)
2005: 9th (B. Keachie) (rel)
2004: Winners of Second Section (B. Keachie) (prom)
2003: 3rd (B. Keachie)
2002: 5th in First Section (B. Keachie) (rel)
2001: 7th (E. Drysdale)
2000: 8th (C. McKenzie)
1999: 2nd in Second Section (prom)
1998: 8th in First Section (rel)
1997: 8th
1996: 2nd in Second Section (prom)
City of Discovery Brass
Conductor: Bruce Wallace
Last 14 Years:
2009: 5th (B. Fraser)
2008: 10th (B. Fraser)
2007: 10th in First Section (B. Fraser) (rel)
2006: Winners of Second Section (B. Fraser) (prom)
2005: 3rd (B. Fraser)
2004: 8th (B. Fraser)
2003: 9th in First Section (B. Fraser) (rel)
2002: 8th (B. Fraser)
2001: 5th (B. Fraser)
2000: 2nd in Second Section (B. Fraser) (prom)
1999: 2nd in Third Section (prom)
1998: 8th
1997: Winners of Fourth Section (prom)
1996: DNC
Coalburn Silver
Conductor: Gareth Bowman
Last 14 Years:
2009: Winners of Third Section (G. Bowman) (prom)
2008: 6th (G. Bowman)
2007: 3rd (G. Bowman)
2006: 3rd (G. Bowman)
2005: 2nd in Fourth Section (G. Bowman) (prom)
2004: 4th (G. Bowman)
2003: 6th (D. Grey)
2002: 8th (D. Grey)
2001: DNC
2000: 8th (E. Kerr)
1999: DNC
1998: DNC
1997: DNC
1996: DNC
Croy Parish Silver
Conductor: Ken Blackwood
Last 14 Years:
2009: 8th (K. Blackwood)
2008: 3rd (K. Blackwood)
2007: 6th (J. Anderson)
2006: 6th (J. Anderson)
2005: 5th (C. Bradley)
2004: 5th (C. Bradley)
2003: DNC
2002: Winners of Second Section (A. Friel)
2001: 8th (A. Friel)
2000: 11th (A. Friel)
1999: 5th
1998: 7th
1997: 9th
1996: 7th
Dalkeith and Monktonhall Colliery
Conductor: James Chamberlain
Last 14 Years:
2009: 7th (J. Chamberlain)
2008: Winners of Third Section (J. Chamberlain) (prom)
2007: 9th in Second Section (J. Chamberlain) (rel)
2006: 7th (J. Chamberlain)
2005: 10th (I. Davey)
2004: 4th (I. Davey)
2003: 8th (I. Fleming)
2002: 9th in First Section (I. Fleming) (rel)
2001: 8th (I. Fleming)
2000: 6th (G. Jenkins)
1999: 8th
1998: 10th in Championship (rel)
1997: 6th
1996: Winners of First Section (prom)
Dunfermline Town
Conductor: David Neil
Last 14 Years:
2009: 2nd in Third Section (D. Neil) (prom)
2008: 5th (D. Neil)
2007: 5th (D. Neil)
2006: 5th (D. Neil)
2005: 9th (S. Duncan)
2004: Winners of Fourth Section (S. Duncan) (prom)
2003: 8th in Third Section (S. Duncan)
2002: 7th (S. Duncan)
2001: 11th (S. Duncan)
2000: 3rd (S. Duncan)
1999: 7th
1998: 5th
1997: 3rd
1996: 10th
Granite City Brass
Conductor: Lt Col (ret) Robert Owen)
Last 14 Years:
2009: 4th (D. Ashworth)
2008: 10th in First Section (E. Paley) (rel)
2007: 2nd in Second Section (T. Paulin) (prom)
2006: 9th in First Section (T. Paulin) (rel)
2005: Winners of Second Section (D. James) (prom)
2004: 7th in First Section (D. James) (rel)
2003: 4th (D. James) (UDI Aberdeen)
2002: 10th (A. Haggart)
2001: 6th (A. Haggart)
2000: 3rd (E. Paley)
1999: 4th
1998: 7th
1997: 4th
1996: 5th
Jedforest Instrumental
Conductor: Russell Gray
Last 14 Years:
2009: 9th (C. Bradley)
2008: 6th (C. Bradley)
2007: 5th (A. Fernie)
2006: 4th (A. Fernie)
2005: 6th (A. Fernie)
2004: 2nd in Third Section (A. Fernie) (prom)
2003: 4th (A. Fernie)
2002: 2nd in Fourth Section (A. Fernie) (rpom)
2001: 5th (A. Fernie)
2000: 6th (A. Fernie)
1999: DNC
1998: DNC
1997: DNC
1996: DNC
Selkirk Silver
Conductor: Mark Bell
Last 14 Years:
2009: 10th (M. Bell)
2008: 8th (C. Hogg)
2007: 3rd (R. Duff)
2006: 3rd (R. Duff)
2005: 2nd in Third Section (R. Duff) (prom)
2004: 10th in Second Section (C. Marr) (rel)
2003: 12th (C. Kemp)
2002: 4th (C. Kemp)
2001: 6th (C. Kemp)
2000: 7th (C. Kemp)
1999: 3rd
1998: 5th
1997: 5th
1996: 4th
Shotts St. Patrick's
Conductor: Michael Marzella
Last 14 Years:
2009: 6th (G. Lindsay)
2008: 5th (M. Marzella)
2007: 10th (A. Duguid)
2006: 5th (B. Keachie)
2005: Winners of Third Section (A. Duguid) (prom)
2004: 9th in Second Section (S. Kerwin) (rel)
2003: 10th (S. Kerwin)
2002: Winners of Third Section (S. Kerwin) (prom)
2001: 6th (S. Kerwin)
2000: 5th (B. Allan)
1999: 10th
1998: 10th in Second Section (rel)
1997: 12th
1996: 6th
St. Ronan's Silver
Conductor: Charlie Farren
Last 14 Years:
2009: 10th in First Section (A. Knox) (rel)
2008: 9th (A. Knox)
2007: Winners of Second Section (A. Knox) (prom)
2006: 9th (A. Knox)
2005: 9th (D. McLeod)
2004: 3rd (D. Mcleod)
2003: 2nd in Third Section (D. McLeod) (prom)
2002: 4th (C. Bradley)
2001: 9th (D. Robb)
2000: 4th (D. Robb)
1999: Winners of Fourth Section (prom)
1998: 5th
1997: 4th
1996: 7th
Tullis Russell (The Papermakers) Mills
Conductor: John Hinckley
Last 14 Years:
2009: 3rd (J. Hinckley)
2008: 4th (G. Lindsay)
2007: 4th (G. Lindsay)
2006: Winners of Third Section (A. Morrison) (prom)
2005: 3rd (D. Neil)
2004: 8th (D. Neil)
2003: 11th in Second Section (D. Neil) (rel)
2002: 8th (S. Barker)
2001: 2nd in Third Section (S. Barker) (prom)
2000: 6th (J. Morahan)
1999: 7th in Second Section (rel)
1998: 12th
1997: 10th in First Section (rel)
1996: 8th
Past Qualifiers:
2009: Arbroath Instrumental, Annan Town
2008: Campbeltown Brass, Johnstone
2007: St. Ronans, Granite City
2006: City of Discovery Brass, Barrhead Burgh
2005: Granite City Brass, Lochgelly
2004: Barrhead Burgh, Kilmarnock Concert Brass
2003: Newmilns & Galston, Arbroath Instrumental
2002: Croy Parish, Kirkintilloch Kelvin Brass
2001: Livingstone Brass, Tayport Instrumental
2000: Johnstone Silver, City of Discovery Brass
1999: Bon Accord Silver, Barrhead Burgh
1998: Tayport Instrumental, Annan Town
1997: Kilmarnock Concert Brass, Bathgate
1996: Longannet Colliery, Barrhead Burgh
1995: Tullis Russell Mills, Dalkeith and Monktonhall
Scottish bands at the Finals:
2009: 10th, 11th
2008: 10th, 12th
2007: 12th, 13th
2006: 4th, 6th
2005: 6th, 15th
2004: 3rd, 10th
2003: 5th, 11th
2002: 8th, 16th
2001: 8th, 15th
2000: 4th, 9th
1999: 3rd, 10th
1998: 13th, 16th
