The Tongwynlais Temperance Band created a little bit of National history on the weekend when they won the First Section title off the number 1 draw – the first time in the contest’s 17 year history.

No doubt

Conducted by Philip Harper, they put no doubt in the minds of the adjudicators Roy Roe and David Horsfield with a commanding performance of ‘Triumphant Rhapsody’ which saw off the challenge of 15 other rivals with something to spare.

Long trek

In addition, the band’s principal euphonium, Martyn Patterson won the ‘Best Instrumentalist’ Award, although both he and the MD were not able to enjoy the immediate victory celebrations at the International Conference Centre as they had joined a dozen or so members on the long trek back to South Wales to be able to get up early for work on Monday morning.

It was a good job, as by all accounts the rest of the band more than made up for their absence well into the Harrogate night.

Classic

Vinter’s classic work certainly tested the bands and conductors to the full – some interpretations were less than ‘triumphant’ in approach and execution, whilst not one principal cornet really sent listeners into rhapsodic pleasure on the famous cadenza.

In the end it was Barton Town who pushed Tongwynlais the closest, with Richard Evans rolling back the years to steer the North of England outfit into second place, whilst Norfolk Brass gave the London & Southern Counties something to cheer about by coming third.

Vinter’s classic work certainly tested the bands and conductors to the full – some interpretations were less than 'triumphant'4BR

Kelly's Eye

The final top six places saw Wakefield Metropolitan, Newtongrange and Poole Borough find favour with Roy Roe and David Horsfield in the box, but it was Tongwynlais who laid the marker on Suday afternoon that couldn’t be beaten – and all off Kelly’s Eye too.

First Section:
Test piece: Triumphant Rhapsody, Gilbert Vinter
Sunday 27 September
Commences following the Award Ceremony for Section 3
Adjudicators: David Horsfield and Roy Roe

Results:

1. Tongwynlais Temperance, Philip Harper, Wales, 1
2. Barton Town, Richard Evans, North of England, 9
3. Norfolk Brass, David Stowell, London and Southern Counties, 5
4. Wakefield Metropolitan, Norman Law, Yorkshire, 16
5. Newtongrange Silver, Nigel Boddice MBE, Scotland, 8
6. Poole Borough, Phil Randell, West of England, 7
7. Sherborne Town, Paul Cosh, West of England, 6
8. Blackburn and Darwen, Nick Sheppard, North West, 10
9. Wardle Anderson Brass, Sean Conway, North West, 15
10. Point of Ayr Colliery, John Hinckley, Wales, 11
11. Sandhurst Silver, Ian McElligott, London and Southern Counties, 2
12. Kirkintilloch, Kelvin Charles Keenan, Scotland, 12
13. GT Group Peterlee, Stephen Malcolm, North of England, 13
14. Hade Edge, Simon Wood, Yorkshire, 4
15. Phoenix West Midlands Brass, David Maplestone, Midlands, 3
16. City of Coventry Brass, Stephen Cooper, Midlands, 14

Best instrumentalist: Martyn Patterson, Euphonium, Tongwynlais Temperance