There was a great day of well supported brass band contesting in Weston Super Mare last weekend, where Verwood Concert Brass maintained their fine 2015 form by taking the top section honours amid the splendid surroundings of the Prince Consort auditorium at the town's Winter Gardens.

Classy Verwood

Conducted by Kevin Smith, the Dorset based band, will produced a classy performance of 'Paganini Variations' to claim a clear two point winning margin over rivals Hyde, with Yeovil Town in third.

Having just missed out on a place at the First Section National Finals earlier this year at Torquay, Verwood has now claimed their second title success of the year as they start preparing for life in the Championship Section in 2016.

Both Hyde and Yeovil reprised the Area set-work, 'A London Overture', with Yeovil's experienced Kevin Robbins taking the Bill Buzza Memorial Trophy as the 'Best Cornet Player'.

Welsh victory for Blaenavon

As always there were a number of challengers from the other side of the River Severn taking the opportunity to make it an enjoyable contesting weekend.

Blaenavon Town, fresh from their podium finish the previous day at the Welsh League contest in Merthyr Tydfil, claimed the honours in the Second Section with a reprise of 'Chaucer's Tunes' under the direction of Jamie Jones.

It proved good enough to beat off the strong challenge of West of England Area champion AW Parker (Drybrook) and their well delivered rendition of 'Kaleidoscope', featuring the 'Best Euphonium' contribution of Mandy Hamer, with City of Bristol in third with 'Kingdom of Dragons'.

Long haul victory for Hucknall

Hucknall & Lynby MC Brass certainly enjoyed their long trip down the M6 and M5 motorways as they took the honours in the Third Section with a high quality rendition of Philip Sparke's 'Kaleidoscope'.

It enabled Paul Whyley's band to claim a narrow victory over rivals Cinderford, who played 'Kingdom of Dragons', and Thomas Coaches Mid Rhondda who reprised 'Mountain Views' which had proven successful for them 24 hours earlier in Merthyr.

There was a double celebration for Hucknall to enjoy on the long journey home with their sterling tuba team taking the 'Best Bass Section' award.

Newport's successful defence

There was also an away victory to celebrate for Newport Borough in the Fourth Section, as under the baton of Robin Hackett a well worked rendition of 'Dimensions' saw then successfully defend their title.

It also gave them a clear three point margin of victory over rivals Pillowell Silver playing 'Scheherazade' and Alcester Victoria's own take on 'Dimensions'.

Adjudicators Paul Holland and Steve Sykes commented on the overall high standard of performances on show on the day, and despite the low turnout of just three bands in the Fourth Section, the SWBBA event organisers John Woods and Brian Elliott, with stewarding support from Weston Brass, declared it to be yet another excellent contesting occasion.

Having just missed out on a place at the First Section National Finals earlier this year at Torquay, Verwood has now claimed their second title success of the year as they start preparing for life in the Championship Section in 20164BR

Results:

Championship/First Section:

1. Verwood Concert Brass (Kevin Smith) — 189pts
2. Hyde (Jonathan Lush-Camps) — 187pts
3. Yeovil Town (David Hayward) — 186pts
4. Kidlington Concert Brass (Duncan Wilson) — 185pts
5. Leicestershire Co-op (Graham Jacklin) — 183pts
6. Chalford (Steve Tubb) — 182pts

Best Cornet: Kevin Robbins (Yeovil Town)

Second Section:

1. Blaenavon Town (James Jones) — 187pts
2. AW Parker (Drybrook) (Josh Ruck) — 185pts
3. City of Bristol (Bryn James) — 184pts
4. Avonbank Brass (Evesham) (Warren Belshaw) — 182pts
5. Phoenix Brass (Crewkerne) (David Boorer) — 181pts
6. Swindon Pegasus (David Mace) — 180pts

Best Euphonium: Mandy Hamer — AW Parker (Drybrook)

Third Section:

1. Hucknall & Lynby MC Brass (Paul Whyley) — 181pts
2. Cinderford (Chris Howley) — 180pts
3. Thomas Coaches Mid Rhondda (Alan Gibbs) — 178pts
4. Corsham (Colin Hogg) — 176pts
5. Chalford Academy (Steve Tubb) — 175pts

Best Bass Section: Hucknall & Lynby MC Brass

Fourth Section:

1. Newport Borough Brass (Robin Hackett) — 176pts
2. Pillowell Silver (Ian Whitburn) — 173pts
3. Alcester Victoria Silver (Dan Price) — 172pts

Best Soloist: Euphonium (Alcester Victoria Silver)