Despite distractions further afield at Wembley stadium, where Cardiff City couldn’t repeat the success of Tredegar, Tongwynlais and Beaumaris in leaving Blackpool in their wake, there was still a healthy turn out of bands for the first contest of the 2010 Welsh League series.

Blackpool reprise

BTM conducted by Tom Davoren reprised their fine effort at coming 5th at the Grand Shield by winning the top section with their performance of Edward Gregson’s ‘Rococo Variations’.

In second place there was an encouraging result for Cwmaman following their Senior Cup disappointment, whilst Welsh regional Second Section champion, Tylorstown came third.

Surprise

St Athan directed by Alan Bourne upset the form book somewhat when they finished fourth. The band came 12th and last at the Welsh Regional contest in Swansea earlier this season in the Second Section, but produced a fine account of themselves to beat First Section Markham & District into fifth with Regional First Section champion, Pontardulais ending sixth, and Abergavenny, seventh.

Small field

There was a disappointingly small field of just three bands in the First Section where the honours went to Blaenavon Town directed by Andrew Protheroe-Jones, who beat Rogerstone and Ynyshir.

Cardiff cheer

The Second Section provided some cheer for the Cardiff supporters not crammed into the bar of the Ebbw Vale Leisure Centre watching the football during the afternoon, when City of Cardiff (Mellingriffith) took first prize ahead of Lewis Merthyr and Cross Keys.

Llwydcoed continued their recent run of good form in the Third Section as the Harrogate bound band beat off the challenge of English visitors Pillowell Silver and Regional champions Goodwick.

The Second Section provided some cheer for the Cardiff supporters not crammed into the bar of the Ebbw Vale Leisure Centre during the afternoon watching the football4BR

Wonderful return

Finally, there was a wonderful return to contesting for Severn Tunnel in the Fourth Section after they failed to make it to the starting tape at Swansea a few months back.

They took the title in commanding fashion by securing a three point wining margin over second placed Abertillery Youth, with Oakdale in third.

Results:

Championship Section:
Adjudicator: Steve Pritchard-Jones

1. BTM (T. Davoren) – 194
2. Cwmaman (D. Evans) – 192
3. Tylorstown (G. Davies) – 191
4. St. Athan (A. Bourne) – 190
5. Markham & District (N. Seaman) – 189
6. Pontardulais (P. Jenkins) – 188
7. Abergavenny (G. Ritter) – 187

First Section:
Adjudicator: Steve Pritchard-Jones

1. Blaenavon Town (A. Protheroe-Jones)
2. Rogerstone (J. Jones)
3. Ynyshir (D. Evans)

Second Section:
Adjudicator: Paul Holland

1. City of Cardiff (Melingriffith) (G. Ritter) – 186
2. Lewis Merthyr (G. Pritchard) – 185
3. Cross Keys (K. Bowden) – 182
4. Gwaun Cae Gurwen (G. Davies) – 181

Third Section:
Adjudicator: Steve Pritchard-Jones

1. Llwydcoed (G. Davies) – 184
2. Pillowell Silver (S. Ruck) – 183
3. Goodwick (M. Jenkins) – 182
4. Ogmore Valley (Miss A. Jones) – 181
5. Newport Borough (A. Hathaway) – 180
6. Ystradgynlais (Miss A. Morgan) – 179
7. Corus (Port Talbot) – 178 (C. Hogg)

Fourth Section:
Adjudicator: Paul Holland

1. Severn Tunnel (A. McGhee) — 178
2. Abertillery Youth (D. Evans) — 175
3. Oakdale (A. Brown) – 174
4. Mellingriffith 2 (D. Griffiths) – 173

Best Instrumentalist: Denis Wells (Oakdale)

All prizes in each section were: £200; £150; £100