Tredegar Town will head to the 2011 European Championships in Montreux in Switzerland after being crowned 2010 Welsh Champion in Swansea on Sunday evening.

Inspired

Conductor Ian Porthouse drew an inspired performance of 'English Heritage' out of his band to beat reigning Welsh, and current European champion Cory into second place. A delighted Pontins champion Tongwynlais Temperance will join the Welsh heavyweights at the Royal Albert Hall in October.

Some distance

Adjudicator Mal Brownbill told the audience at Brangwyn Hall that the two top bands were 'some distance' ahead of their rivals on the day, with the small difference between the top two the overall quality of the soloists on George Lloyd’s demanding work.

That observation was further highlighted by the award of the ‘Best Instrumentalist Prize’ to Tredegar’s principal cornet player Dewi Griffiths.

I really thought we deserved it today. It was a magnificent performance and the best this band has played for me on a major contest stageMD, Ian Porthouse

Deserved it

Tredegar’s MD was an obviously delighted man when he spoke to 4BR after the results: "I really thought we deserved it today. It was a magnificent performance and the best this band has played for me on a major contest stage. To beat Cory on that form today shows we are making real progress to where we all want to be. All the credit goes to the players."

Although disappointed, Cory’s MD, Dr Robert Childs was one of the first people to offer his congratulations to the new champion, before heading from the hall to start concentrating his band’s efforts on their hat trick ambitions at Linz in a couple of months time.

Third force

For Tongwynlais, there was further evidence to support their claim to being the new 'third force' in Welsh banding, as they built on their First Section National title and Pontins success of 2009 to claim their first ever top section appearance at the Royal Albert Hall.

Elsewhere, there was disappointment for a second successive year for BTM, who missed out on a London trip after coming 4th.

First Section

On of the Principality’s rising bands took the honours in the First Section on Saturday, when Pontardulais Town directed by Paul Jenkins claimed victory on 'A Moorside Suite' to head to Harrogate, where they will be joined by a revitalised Wrexham Brass conducted by Wayne Ruston.

Just missing out was Markham & District, despite principal cornet Lewis West picked up the ‘Best Instrumentalist’ Award.

Following on from their victory over Tredegar and Tongwynlais at the Blaenavon contest late last year it gave Pontardulais their first Swansea victory since 1998.

The winning MD told 4BR: "We are really building into a competitive band now, with a great spirit and a desire to get better and better. I thought we played really well on a piece which we enjoyed, and the players were brilliant."

Second Section

With Philip Harper’s South Wales inspired 'Kingdom of Dragons' as the set work, there was never going to be a problem with bands finding the work a mystery to them on Saturday.

In the event it was Tylorstown who hail from the Rhondda valley (a bit further west than the work’s inspiration) that produced a classy rendition to claim their first Welsh title since 1989 and head to Harrogate as champion.

MD Gary Davies told 4BR: "This is a great result. We are improving all the time and this win sets us up for what we hope will be year to remember. The players all performed well for me today and I couldn’t have asked for anything more."

Joining them at the finals will be Deiniolen, from North Wales, conducted by Gavin Saynor, whose performance also saw euphonium player Daniel Taylor pick up the 'Best Instrumentalist' award.

Third Section

Although there was only a small field of six bands in the Third Section on Saturday morning, there was much to enjoy, as a number of robust, operatically inspired performances of 'Labour & Love' saw adjudicator Colin Hardy enjoy his brief stay in the box.

In the end he chose a colourful performance from the fast rising youngsters of Goodwick directed by Matthew Jenkins to head for Harrogate as champion, followed close behind by Llwydcoed conducted by Garry Davies (who enjoyed his second Harrogate qualification of the weekend) and whose principal cornet player, Iestyn Davies picked up the ‘Best Instrumentalist’ Award.

"The band keep surprising me with just how well they play," Matthew told 4BR, after they picked up their first ever Welsh regional title. "It was just great to conduct them today."

Fourth Section

Finally in the Fourth Section on Sunday morning there was a wonderful victory to celebrate for Crwbin conducted by Michael Thorne, who hail from near Kidwelly in Carmarthenshire

The band has valiantly supported this contest over the last decade, sometimes coming with barely a quorum of players, but through the hard work and determination of their regular MD Julian Jones they saw all that hard work pay off in wonderful style to claim their first ever Welsh Regional title.

Julian, who also worked tirelessly behind the scenes all weekend, was for once speechless by the win for the band that is stamped on his heart, whilst Crwbin’s soprano player, Bleddyn Roberts picked up the 'Best Instrumentalist' award.

Joining them at Harrogate for the first time will be Upper Rhondda directed by Nigel Seaman, who made their debuts at this contest in 2005.

Championship Section:
Sunday 21st March

Brangwyn Hall, Swansea
Draw: 12.00pm
Commences: starts at end of Section 4
Adjudicator: Malcolm Brownbill

Result:
1. Tredegar (I. Porthouse), 8*
2. Cory (Dr. R. Childs), 7**
3. Tongwynlais Temperance (P. Harper), 4*
4. BTM (T. Davoren), 10
5. Northop(T. Wyss), 1
6. Beaumaris (G. Evans), 2
7. Cwmaman Institute (C. Roberts), 9
8. Point of Ayr Colliery (J. Hinckley), 3
9. Burry Port Town (C. Roberts), 6
10. Penclawdd Brass (D.A. Small), 5

Best Instrumentalist: Dewi Griffiths (cornet) Tredegar

*Top 2 placed bands plus Cory** qualify for Finals

First Section:
Saturday 20th March

Brangwyn Hall, Swansea
Draw: 4.15pm
Commences: starts at end of Section 2
Adjudicator: Colin Hardy

Result:
1. Pontadulais Town (P. Jenkins), 6*
2. Wrexham Brass (W. Ruston), 5*
3. Markham and District (N. Seaman), 7
4. City of Cardiff (Mellingriffith) (G. Ritter), 4
5. Abergavenny Borough (S. Sykes), 2
6. Parc and Dare (D. Griffiths), 3
7. Rogerstone (J. Jones), 1

*Top 2 bands qualify for Harrogate

Best Instrumentalist: Lewis West (cornet) Markham & District

Second Section:
Saturday 20th March

Brangwyn Hall, Swansea
Draw: 12.15pm
Commences: starts at end of Section 3
Adjudicator: Malcolm Brownbill

Result:
1. Tylorstown (G. Davies), 12*
2. Deiniolen (G. Saynor), 11*
3. Lewis Merthyr (G. Pritchard), 3
4. Llanrug (P. Hughes), 10
5. Blaenavon Town (A. Protherough-Jones), 1
6. Gwaun Cae Gurwen (G.R. Davies), 7
7. Royal Buckley Town (J. Doyle), 4
8. Crosskeys Silver (K. Bowden), 9
9. Briton Ferry (Dr. C. Jenkins), 6
10. Newtown Silver (S. Edwards), 8
11. Yynshir (D. Evans), 5
12. RAF St. Athan Voluntary (A.R. Bourne), 2

Best Instrumentalist: Daniel Taylor (euphonium), Deiniolen

*Top 2 bands qualify for Harrogate

Third Section:
Saturday 20th March

Brangwyn Hall, Swansea
Draw: 10.30am
Commences: 11.30am
Adjudicator: Colin Hardy

Result:
1. Goodwick (M. Jenkins), 5*
2. Llwydcoed (G. Davies), 1*
3. Corus (Port Talbot) (C. Hogg), 4
4. Ogmore Valley (Miss A. Jones), 2
5. Oakeley Silver (J. Davies), 6
6. Ebbw Vale (C. Thomas), 3

*Top 2 bands qualify for Harrogate

Best Instrumentalist: Iestyn Davies (cornet) Llwydcoed

Fourth Section:
Sunday 21st March

Brangwyn Hall, Swansea
Draw: 10.00am
Commences: 11.00am
Adjudicator: Colin Hardy

Result:
1. Crwbin (M. Thorne), 3*
2. Upper Rhondda Brass (N. Seaman), 7*
3. Newport Borough (A. Hathaway), 6
4. Pontypool (P. O'Leary), 9
5. Mellingriffith 2 (D. Griffiths), 4
6. Rhyl Silver (M. Robinson), 5
7. Abertillery Youth (D. Evans), 8
8. Oakdale (R. Probyn), 1
9. Ruthin Town (J. Powell), 2

Best Instrumentalist: Bleddyn Roberts (soprano) Crwbin

*Top 2 bands qualify for Harrogate