The North West Regional qualifiers lived up to its billing as the place to be on the weekend after a day of thrills and spills at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool — topped by a double delight for the Cheshire town of Sandbach.

Six of the best for Fodens

Foden's with Allan Withington at the helm made it six wins on the trot in the Championship Section, with a rip-roaring account of Wilby's 'Paganini Variations'.

At it's conclusion the MD tapped his baton against his conducting stand in a cultured display of pride at how the band's performance had unfolded under his command.

Lightening fast Fairey

In second place came Fairey (Geneva) under Russell Gray, who produced a lightening-fast interpretation of the 1991 British Open test.

It wasn't without a few glitches along the way however, and the band who has beaten its arch-rivals at the past four contests, couldn't deny Fodens the title for an 18th time.

At it's conclusion the MD tapped his baton against his conducting stand in a cultured display of pride at how the band's performance had unfolded under his command4BR

Pemberton's delight

The fancied big hitters didn't have it their own way on the day though, with the fast improving Pemberton Old Wigan DW under Mark Bentham producing a cracker of a performance to see them return to London for the second time in three years.

Bridesmaid

Wingates directed by Alan Morrison had to be content with being a North West bridesmaid again, missing out on a trip to London for the second year in a row despite a fine performance that benefitted from an intuitive reading of the score by the MD.

No go for Leyland

Meanwhile, Leyland under Philip Harper impressed from the early number two draw with notable contributions from John Doyle on flugel, but it didn't quite have that extra bit of sheen about to find favour with John Berryman in the box.

First Section

The first title of the day went to Foden's neighbours from Sandbach, Roberts Bakery conducted by Colin Cranson who took the First Section honours.

They confirmed their place at Cheltenham in September with a fine account of 'Le Carnival Romain', where they will be joined by Longridge under Mark Peacock.

They also produced a solid account to deny a finals berth to Rainford under Neil Samuel, newly promoted from the Second Section, and whose performance benefitted from the contribution of star trombonist Peter Moore.

Second Section

The challenge of Eric Ball's 'Resurgam' proved to be as tough as anticipated in the Second Section with adjudicator Kevin Wadsworth highlighting the need for bands to get the right feeling for the music.

Morecambe, conducted by Andrew Warriner and reigning Pontins champion, Haydock, directed by Mark Quinn certainly did that in his opinion, although it didn't take long for the opinions and debates to start in the bars of the Winter Gardens and beyond, with many feeling that Mossley and Delph were more than a little unlucky to miss out on a trip to Cheltenham.

Third Section

There was joy for Hoover (Bolton) under Trevor Halliwell, who took the spoils in the Third Section with a performance that left adjudicator Steve Pritchard-Jones more than happy. Also heading to Cheltenham will be Whitworth Vale & Healey directed by John Binns, who brought the contest to a close.

Philip Wilby's 'A Little Light Music' proved to be a demanding test on the day and band's from around the UK can take some small crumbs of comfort that even strong field of competitors here was severley challenged.

Fourth Section

The Fourth Section proved to be a long but enjoyable contest.

However, it was well worth the wait as last year's Fourth Section National runner-up Besses Boys reaffirmed their quality by taking the title under the direction of James Holt.

Also planning their hotels for September will be Boarshurst from Saddleworth, led by the experienced Dave Ashworth, Ramsay Town, under Robert Quance who'll travel from the Isle of Man, and Golborne directed by Jason Smith.

A look back

4BR will look back on the North West Regionals later this week.

Results:

Additional comments and thoughts on our twitter site:
http://twitter.com/4barsrest

Championship Section:
Sunday 27th February

Opera House
Test Piece: Paganini Variations (Philip Wilby)
Adjudicator: John Berryman

1. Foden’s (Allan Withington)*
2. Fairey (Geneva) (Russell Gray)**
3. Pemberton Old Wigan DW (Mark Bentham)*
4. Wingates (Alan Morrison)
5. Leyland (Philip Harper)
6. Blackburn & Darwen (Nick Sheppard)
7. Co-operative (Crewe) (Jef Sparkes)
8. Ashton-Under-Lyne (Martyn Evans)
9. Vernon Building Society Poynton (Kevin Gibbs)
10. Co-operative Milnrow (David Evans)
11. Silk Brass (Paul Andrews)

*Two bands qualify for the finals
** Fairey pre-qualified

First Section:
Sunday 27th February

Pavilion Theatre
Test Piece: Le Carnival Romain (Hector Berlioz arr. Frank Wright)
Adjudicator: David Horsfield

1. Roberts Bakery (Colin Cranson)*
2. Longridge (Mark Peacock)*
3. Rainford (Neil Samuel)
4. Bollington Brass (Peter Christian)
5. Wardle Anderson Brass (Sean Conway)
6. Oldham (Lees) (John Collins)
7. Freckleton (Paul Dalton)
8. Diggle (James Shepherd)
9. Manx Concert Brass (Ian Clague MBE)
10. Poulton-Le-Fylde (Gareth Westwood)

*Two bands qualify for the finals

Second Section:
Sunday 27th February

Pavilion Theatre
Test Piece: Resurgam (Eric Ball)
Adjudicator: Kevin Wadsworth

1. Morecambe (Andrew Warriner)*
2. Haydock (Mark Quinn)*
3. Co-operative 2000 Brass (Jamie Meredith)
4. Tyldesley (Robert Taylor)
5. Uppermill (Alan Widdop)
6. Flixton (Stephen Curtis)
7. Haslingden & Helmshore (David Holland)
8. Middleton (Matt Stringer)
9. Eccleston Brass (Ian Bateson)
10. Besses o’ th’ Barn (Geoff Bradley)
11. Dobcross Silver (Grenville Moore)
12. Delph (Philip Goodwin)
13. Blackpool Brass (Roy Waite)
14. Douglas Town (Gordon Higginbottom)
15. Mossley (Duncan Byers)
16. Old Hall Brass (John North)

*Two bands qualify for the finals

Third Section:
Sunday 27th February

Opera House
Test Piece: A Little Light Music (Philip Wilby)
Adjudicator: Steve Pritchard-Jones

1. Hoover (Bolton) (Trevor Halliwell)*
2. Whitworth Vale & Healey (John Binns)*
3. Eagley (Neil Parkinson)
4. Greenall’s (Karl Stott)
5. Pemberton Old Wigan JJB 'B' (Peter Ashley)
6. Eccles Borough (Mareika Gray)
7. Hazel Grove (Nigel Beasley)
8. Lostock Hall Memorial (John Wood)
9. Rivington & Adlington (Malcolm Wilson)
10. Farnworth & Walkden (Peter Ashley)
11. BMP Europe Goodshaw (David Warren)
12. Stalybridge Old (Graham Smith)
13. Hawk Green (Marple) (Neil Hewson)

*Two bands qualify for the finals

Fourth Section:
Sunday 27th February

Empress Ballroom
Test Piece: Prelude, Song and Dance (John Golland)
Adjudicator: Major Paul Norley

1. Besses Boys (James Holt)*
2. Boarshurst Silver (David Ashworth)*
3. Ramsey Town (Robert Quane)*
4. Golborne (Jason M. Smith)*
5. Darwen Brass (Steve Hartley)
6. Nelson Brass (Steve Brodie)
7. Coppull & Standish (Graham Martin)
8. City of Chester (Philip Mottershead)
9. Port Sunlight Lyceum (Cyril Dare)
10. Parr (Richardson Ltd) St. Helens (John Luddon)
11. Sale Brass (John Dickinson)
12. Rode Hall Silver (John Callister)
13. Ellenbrook & Boothstown (Craig Mann)
14. Wirral Brass (Peter Smith)
15. Greenfield (Steve Robinson)
16. Blackley (Adrian Smith)
17. Tottington Public (Daniel Price)
18. Denton Brass (Colin Myers)
19. Mereside Brass (Mike Phenton)
20. Littleborough Public (Adrian Woodhead)
21. Dobcross Youth (James Garlick)

*Four bands qualify for the finals