The second leg of the 2014 Welsh League Contesting series took place at Bro Gwaun School in Fishguard on the weekend, when 30 bands battled it out on their own choice selections.

Positive feedback

Excellently organised by the West Wales Brass Band Association in partnership with the Goodwick Band, it proved to be a great day of high quality competition, with positive feedback from the competitors and listeners who once again enjoyed their trip down to the heart of Pembrokeshire.

The adjudicators David Roberts and Steve Pritchard Jones were also very impressed with the playing standards on show, and in particular the Youth Section, where six bands from the most westerly and easterly points of the south Wales banding compass played to a packed audience.

Burry Port boost

In the Championship Section, it was Burry Port under the baton of Michael Thorne who gave themselves a great pre-National Finals boost as they delivered a commanding rendition of ‘The Legend of King Arthur’ to take victory by an imposing six point margin, ahead of Abergavenny Borough and Pontardulais.

The band’s brace of talented soloists, in Chris Smith on euphonium and Jayne Thomas on soprano picked up the individual awards for their fine contributions to a performance that will stand the West Walians in fine stead ahead of their Kensington trip.

Dominant Goodwick

Meanwhile, there was no lingering sense of disappointment for the local favourites after their recent National Finals appearance in Cheltenham, as Goodwick decided not to repeat ‘A King’s Lie’ but opt for ‘Purcell Variations’.

It proved to be an excellent decision as they stamped their authority on the First Section under Matthew Jenkins to claim a huge 10 point margin of victory over the hard working duo of Lewis Merthyr and RAF St Athan.

Goodwick’s fine flugel player Ffion Williams took the ‘Best Instrumentalist’ award.

Ammanford victory

After their encouraging performance at the National Finals in Cheltenham there was a further boost to the promotion hopes of Ammanford Town as they gave a bold reprise of Victor Ewald’s ‘Symphony for Brass’ to claim the Second Section honours.

Directed by Glyn R Davies they beat off the strong challenge of Thomas Coaches Mid Rhondda and City of Cardiff (Melingriffith) 2.

The ever busy conductor Gareth Ritter, somehow managed to squeeze in enough time from his MD duties with Ebbw Valley to showcase his playing talents by taking the ‘Best Instrumentalist’ prize.

Ebbw Valley victory

In the Third Section Ebbw Valley continued on their dominant run of form as the newly crowned National Champion reprised their 'Symphony for Brass' to fight off the determined challenge of Oakdale Silver and Upper Rhondda, with horn player Tracy Walkerdine taking the ‘Best Instrumentalist’ award.

Revitalised Newport

There were encouraging signs of further long term banding health in the Fourth Section as the revitalised Newport Borough carried on their their recent good run of form under Robin Hackett to beat off the strong youthful challenge of Cwmtawe and the newly formed Phoenix Brass.

However, the undoubted highlight of an enjoyable day certainly came with the six bands in the youth section, which delighted the audience with their talent and enthusiasm, headed by a Gold Award performance from the latest generation of talented Goodwick youngsters.

There were also fine performances from the others competitors with the BTM organisation showing that they continue to unearth a rich seam of exceptional young performers – led by their cracking award winning euphonium player Lloyd Barnaby.

In the Championship Section, it was Burry Port under the baton of Michael Thorne who gave themselves a great pre-National Finals boost4BR

Results:

Championship Section:
Adjudicator: David Roberts

1. Burry Port (Michael Thorne) — 186pts
2. Abergavenny Borough (Craig Robert) — 180pts
3. Pontardulais (Paul Jenkins) — 179pts
4. Llwydcoed (Chris Turner) — 178pts
5. City of Cardiff (Melingriffith) (Nigel Seaman) — 177pts
6. Tylorstown (Gary Davies) — 175pts

Best Instrumentalist: Chris Smith (euphonium) — Burry Port
Best Soprano: Jayne Thomas (Burry Port)

First Section:
Adjudicator: David Roberts

1. Goodwick Brass (Mattew Jenkins) — 188pts
2. Lewis Merthyr (Gavin Pritchard) — 178pts
3. RAF St Athan (Colin Hogg) — 174pts

Best Instrumentalist: Ffion Williams (flugel) — Goodwick Brass

Second Section:
Adjudicator: David Roberts

1. Ammanford Town (Glyn R Davies) — 184pts
2. Thomas Coaches Mid Rhondda (Alan Gibbs) — 183pts
3. City of Cardiff (Melingriffith) M2 (Robin Hackett) — 181pts
4 Crwbin (Ceri Thomas) — 180pts
5. Ynyshir (Gary Davies) — 179pts
6. Crosskeys Silver (Benjamin Atkinson) — 177pts
7. Gwaun Cae Gurwen (Jeff Hutchinson) — 176pts
8. Briton Ferry (Jeff Pearce) — 175pts

Best Instrumentalist: Gareth Ritter (euphonium) — City of Cardiff M2

Third Section:
Adjudicator: Steve Pritchard Jones

1. Ebbw Valley Brass (Gareth Ritter) — 185pts
2. Oakdale Silver (Adrian Browning) — 183pts
3. Upper Rhondda (David Langley) — 182pts

Best Instrumentalist: Tracy Walkerdine (horn) — Ebbw Valley

Fourth Section:
Adjudicator Steve Pritchard Jones

1. Newport Borough (Robin Hackett) — 177pts
2. Cwmtawe (Wayne Pedrick) — 176pts
3. Phoenix Brass (James Voros) — 175pts
4. BTM Next Generation (Mark Hutchinson) — 174pts

Best Instrumentalist: Lloyd Barnaby (euphonium) — BTM Next Generation

Youth Section:

Gold Award: Goodwick Youth
Silver Award: BTM Next Generation
Silver Award: Cwmtawe Youth Training Band
Bronze Award: Melingriffith Youth Band
Bronze Award: Milford Haven Juniors
Bronze Award: BTM Learners

Best Section Award: Horns (Goodwick Youth)