There was a fine turn out of bands battling it out on the contest stage in Leicestershire last weekend, where Sandhurst Silver conducted by Ian McElligot ended their contesting year crowned as Leicester Open champions.

Musically assured

A well matched top section contest saw adjudicator Mal Brownbill describe Sandhurst’s performance of ‘Cloudcatcher Fells’ as ‘so musically assured’.

It gave them a narrow one point victory over Ratby Co-operative, who came close to making it a contest day double following their First Section win under the baton of John Ward.

A well matched top section contest saw adjudicator Mal Brownbill describe Sandhurst’s performance of Cloudcatcher Fells as ‘so musically assured’4BR

Top four praise

The top four bands came in for particular praise from the adjudicator, but there was to be no denying Sandhurst as they claimed the ‘Open’ title as the penultimate band to play. Behind Ratby, who gave a well defined performance of 'Of Men and Mountains' to come second came Medway Town with Wantage Silver in fourth.

Ratby win

Ratby ended the day clutching a fine collection of silverware after their performances of ‘Force of Destiny’ gave them the First Section title, ahead of Jackfield (Elcock Reisen) and Enderby, whilst there was a turnaround in the Second Section as Littleport directed by Nigel Bramley beat reigning champion Blidworth Welfare thanks to a fine performance of Goff Richards’ ‘Oceans’.

Roller

Rolls Royce (Derby) claimed the Third Section title thanks to a well structured performance of Philip Sparke’s ‘Three Miniatures’ to beat off the challenge of Avonbank and Hucknall & Linby.

Dinnington Colliery rounded off their fine year by claiming the Fourth Section honours thanks to a reprise performance of their National Final set work, ‘Henry V’. Melton came second with Market Rasen in third.

Thnaks

Enderby Youth Band directed by Trevor Hounsome claimed the Unregistered Section title ahead of Wigston and Ratby Co-operative Youth.

LBBA Chairman Steve Plant thanked all of the bands for their support and for the fine performances heard across both halls, as well as the hard work of adjudicators Malcolm Brownbill, Paul Holland, David Horsfield and Mike Kilroy.

Results:

Open Section:

1. Sandhurst Silver (Ian McElligot) — 192
2. Ratby Co-operative (John Ward) — 191
3. Medway (Melvin White) — 190
4. Wantage Silver (Phil Bailey) — 189
5. Aveley and Newham (Nigel Taken) — 187
6. Friary Guildford (Chris King) — 186
7. Silk Brass (David Holling) — 185
8. Sovereign Brass (Mike Howley) — 183
9. Barton Town (Garry Oglesby) — 182
10. Kidlington Concert (Duncan Wilson) — 180
11. City of Cambridge (Steve Phillips) — 178
12. Enderby (Jonathan Mott) — 176
13. Soham Combrades (Keith Schroeter) — 175
14. Kirbymoorside (John Woodward) — 174

First Section:

1. Ratby Co-operative (John Ward) — 191
2. Jackfield (Elcock Reisen) (Simon Platford) — 190
3. Enderby (Jonathan Mott) — 188
4. Kippax (David Lancaster) — 187
5. Shepherd Group (Richard Wilton) — 186
6. Oddfellows Brass (Robert Boulter) — 185
7. Foresters Brass 2000 (Peter Collins) — 184
8. Bollington (Peter Christian) — 183
9. Kidlington Concert (Duncan Wilson) — 182
10. Hathern (David Newman) — 181
11. Wigston (Garry Sleath) — 179
12. Brackley & District (John Darrant) — 178
13. Harborough (Chris Groom) — 177
14. Soham Combrades (Keith Schroeter) — 176
15. Shirland Welfare (Marie Smith) — 174

Second Section:

1. Littleport (Nigel Bramley) — 186
2. Blidworth Welfare (Martin Heartfield) — 185
3. Matlock (Andrew Dennis) — 183
4. Shirebrook Miners Welfare (Mark Wilcockson) — 182
5. Denham Hendon Brass (Gordon Davies) — 181

Third Section:

1. Rolls Royce (Derby) (Graham Cardwell) — 183
2. Avonbank (Nick Smith) — 182
3. Hucknall & Linby M.C. (Paul Whyley) — 181
4. Rushden Windmill (John Fletcher) — 180
5. Worsbrough Brass (John Hopkinson) — 179
6. Chalgrove (Terry Brotherhood) — 178
7. University of Warwick (Simon Hogg) — 177
8. Croft Silver (Ian Needham) — 176

Fourth Section:

1. Dinnington Colliery (Jonathan Beatty) — 178
2. Melton (Graham Sutton) — 176
3. Market Rasen (Alan Needham) — 174
4. Burbage Silver (Edwin Stinton) — 173
5. Bletchington (Nigel Hall) — 172
6. Ratby Co-operative Mid (Geoff Newman) — 171
7. Amersham (Paul Fisher) — 170
8. Rushden Town (John Hudson) — 169
9. Whitwell (Simon Gresswell) — 168
10. Newhall (Kevin Holdgate) — 167
11. Pleasley Colliery Welfare (Keith Buxton) — 166
12. Skegness Silver (Stephen Walker) — 165

Unregistered Section:

1. Enderby Youth (Trevor Hounsome) — 175
2. Wigston Enterprise (Pat Allsopp) — 173
3. Ratby Co-operative Youth (Becky Moss) — 172

The date for the 2012 competition has been advised as Sunday 25th November 2012, please check www.lbba.org.uk for full details and confirmation.