The final leg of the 2014 Welsh League Championship took place in Merthyr Tydfil on the weekend, where the destination of the various titles was decided on an exciting day of competition.

Despite the alternative attractions of an international rugby match against New Zealand there was still a fine turn out of bands and supporters thanks to a pre-draw instigated by the SEWBBA committee and the excellent facilities in and around the Merthyr Tydfil Leisure Centre venue.

Championship shock

Unlike the rather predictable result at the Millennium Stadium, there was definitely something of a shock outcome in the Championship Section, where Pontardulais notched up their first top flight Welsh league win since 2009.

Led by Paul Jenkins, their solidly portrayed rendition of ‘Chivarly’ certainly caught the ear of Derek Broadbent in the box, to give the west walians a clear two point winning margin over an uncharacteristically mis-firing ‘Paganini Variations’ from favourites Burry Port and an determined ‘Trittico’ from Llwydcoed in third.

The sturdy Pontardulais bass section and excellent solo trombone, Gareth Halfpenny (who gave a performance every bit as good as his namesake in the Welsh full back jersey in Cardiff) , took the individual awards on offer, with Chris Smith of Burry Port winning the ‘Best Instrumentalist’ award.

“It’s a great way to round off what has been a testing year,” the winning MD told 4BR. “The band has worked so hard and our results have been improving, but this gives us a great boost for 2015.”

Although, the victory denied Burry Port a ‘clean sweep’ of 2014 Welsh League wins, the National finalists still retained the overall title, with Pontardulais and City of Cardiff (Melingriffith) coming joint runners-up.

First Section

In the First Section, Goodwick notched up its eighth successive Welsh League victory to claim not just the South Wales Miners Gala Trophy and £200 first prize, but also add the overall 2014 title to their collection.

MD Matthew Jenkins and his young band produced an excellent performance of ‘Purcell Variations’ to repel the strong challenge of Parc & Dare, with the band’s sop player Paul Eddy taking the ‘Best Instrumentalist’ award, whilst Blaenavon continued on their solid season’s form in third.

“It’s another good result for the band,” Matthew told 4BR. “There’s a lot to build on for 2015 and hopefully more success to come for all the hard work the players put in.”

Lewis Merthyr rounded off their encouraging year by ending runner-up in the race for the League title, although they didn’t quite shine on the day itself, finishing fourth.

Second Section

Victory for City of Cardiff (Melingriffth) 2, and an unexpected sixth place finish for Ammanford (who had won the other two contest legs of the League season), meant the battle for the overall title in the Second Section went down to the wire.

M2’S performance of ‘A Celtic Suite’ certainly impressed adjudicator Derek Broadbent, helped by the ‘Best Instrumentalist’ contribution of Gareth Ritter, who rounded off a memorable personal weekend by also being presented with the ‘Welsh Conductor of the Year’ award and leading Ebbw Valley to contest and League victory in the Third Section.

With former Cory star Chris Turner leading a rejuvenated Crwbin into second place with a cracking rendition of ‘Chaucer’s Tunes’, and the improving Rogerstone in third, there was plenty of nail biting going on as the Welsh league result was announced, with M2 eventually pipping their West Wales rivals.

Third Section

In contrast, there was no doubting the destination of the Third Section League trophy as National Champion Ebbw Valley took the honours under Gareth Ritter.

However, they were made to work hard for their victory, despite their horn section and principal cornet Nannette Jones winning awards for their contribution to their reprise of the Cheltenham test piece, Victor Ewald’s ‘Symphony for Brass’.

An exciting rendition of ‘Olympus’ from Abertillery & District certainly pushed Ebbw Valley, with Upper Rhondda giving a solid performance of ‘Dimensions’ to end third.

Although adjudicator Derek Broadbent was impressed by what he heard on the day, he did point out that even the winning band encountered some discomfort.

“It was a very high standard,” he told the audience. “The winners shone, but it wasn’t perfect, and some performances did tail off and deteriorate towards their close. It was good to hear some innovative choices though — so refreshing in fact.”

With Ebbw Valley celebrating yet another victory, there were also plenty of smiles on the faces of Oakdale supporters as they ended the season as Welsh League runner-up.

Fourth Section

There was also plenty to celebrate for Usk Brass in the Fourth Section.

After returning to competition after a 25 year absence in 2013 they claimed a second successive Welsh league contest success, with a cracking performance of ‘A Lindum Suite’ under the baton of Jeff Jones. The band’s euphonium player Jamie Jones took the ‘Best Instrumentalist’ prize, as they finished four points ahead of Newport Borough with Pontypool in third.

“It was one of the best Fourth Section performances I’ve heard in quite a while,” adjudicator Steve Sykes said. “It was a cracking show.”

However, it wasn’t quite enough to deny Newport Borough the overall Welsh League title, as their second place finish under Robin Hackett on ‘Four Cities Symphony’ saw them claim the honour with Usk as runner-up.

Youth

There was plenty of great entertainment on show in the Youth Section as four excellently led ensembles strutted their stuff.

The Gold Award went to Melingriffith Youth (M3). Their polished set started with ‘Bandstand Boogie’ and ended appropriately enough with ‘Happy’ by Pharell Williams under Carol Flannery-Davies, aided by their prize winning percussion section.

Blaenavon Juniors gained a Silver Award with a programme that included an excellent ‘Best Instrumentalist’ performance of ‘I Don’t Know How to Love Him’ by Thomas Webb.

Meanwhile, both BTM Learners and Melingriffith Beginners delighted the audience with their Bronze Award programmes that included ‘Pop Rock’ and ‘Gospel Rock’ as well as the all dancing ‘Yellow Bird’ and The Proclaimers ‘500 Miles’.

there was definitely something of a shock outcome in the Championship Section, where Pontardulais notched up their first top flight Welsh league win since 20094BR

Results:

Championship Section:
Adjudicator: Derek Broadbent

1. Pontardulais (Paul Jenkins) — 189
2. Burry Port (Joshua Ruck) -187
3. Llwydcoed (Chris Turner) — 185
4. City of Cardiff (Melingriffith) — 184
5. Tylorstown (Gary Davies) — 183
6. Abergavenny Borough (Alun F Williams) — 181
7. Markham & District (Gareth Pritchard) – 180

Best Instrumentalist: Chris Smith (euphonium) — Burry Port
Best Trombone: Gareth Halfpenny (Pontardulais)
Best Bass Section: Pontardulais

2014: Welsh League Champion: Burry Port
Runner-Up: City of Cardiff (Melingriffith) & Pontardulais

First Section:
Adjudicator: Steve Sykes

1. Goodwick Brass (Matthew Jenkins) — 189
2. Parc & Dare (Andrew Jones) — 188
3. Blaenavon Town (James Jones) — 186
4. Lewis Merthyr (Gareth Pritchard) — 185
5. RAF St Athan (Alan Bourne) — 183

Best Instrumentalist: Paul Eddy (soprano) — Parc & Dare

2014: Welsh League Champion: Goodwick Brass
Runner-Up: Lewis Merthyr

Second Section:
Adjudicator: Derek Broadbent

1. City of Cardiff (Melingriffith) M2 (Robin Hackett) — 189
2. Crwbin (Chris Turner) -187
3. Rogerstone (Jeff Hutcherson) — 185
4. Mid Rhondda (Alan Gibbs) — 184
5. Bream Silver (Phil Turner) — 183
6. Ammanford (Glyn Davies) — 182
7. Crosskeys (Benjamin Atkinson) — 181
8. Briton Ferry (Jeffrey Pearce) — 180
9. Ynyshir (Gary Davies) — 179
10. Gwaun-Cae-Gurwen (Jeff Hutcherson) — 176

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

2014: Welsh League Champion: City of Cardiff (Melingriffith) M2
Runner-Up: Ammanford

Third Section:
Adjudicator: Derek Broadbent

1. Ebbw Valley (Gareth Ritter) — 185
2. Abertillery & District (Joshua Ruck) — 184
3. Upper Rhondda (David Langley) — 183
4. Ogmore Valley (Alice Jones) — 182
5. Oakdale Silver (Adrian Browning) — 179
6. Severn Tunnel (Christopher Bond) — 178

Best Instrumentalist: Nanette Jones (cornet) — Ebbw Valley
Best Horn Section: Ebbw Valley
Youngest Player in Third & Fourth Sections: Eleri Kinsey (aged 10) — Upper Rhondda

2014: Welsh League Champion: Ebbw Valley
Runner-Up: Oakdale

Fourth Section:
Adjudicator: Steve Sykes

1. Usk Brass (Jeff Jones) — 190
2. Newport Borough (Robin Hackett) — 186
3. Pontypool Brass (David Langley) — 183
4. Vale of Glamorgan (David Short) — 182
5. Cwmbran Brass (Jake Pritchard) — 181

Best Instrumentalist: Jamie Jones (euphonium) — Usk Brass

2014: Welsh League Champion: Newport Borough
Runner-Up: Usk Brass

Youth Section:
Adjudicator: Steve Sykes

Gold Award: Melingriffith Youth (M3)
Silver Award: Blaenavon Town Juniors
Bronze Award: Melingriffith Beginners (M4)
Bronze Award: BTM Learners

Best Instrumentalist: Thomas Webb (flugel) — Blaenavon Town Juniors
Best Percussion Section: Melingriffith Youth (M3)