After such a clear cut winner in the Second Section earlier in the day — every bit as commanding as Arkle in his prime — there was something of a Foinavon feel about Usk's victory in the Fourth Section on Saturday evening.

Intake of breath

With the vast majority of the audience expecting to hear the name of Yorkshire champion BD1 announced as the 2015 winner, there was an audible an intake of breathless surprise every bit as loud as would have been heard at the 23rd fence at Aintree in 1967, when it was revealed they were pipped at the post by the Welsh outsider.

And pipped was the right word to — as judges Glyn Williams and John Doyle revealed they spent over quarter of an hour in the box following the last band, pouring over their notes on the set work, 'Visions', comparing the two performances in detail before making their final photo-finish decision.

Very close

"It was very close between the top two,"Glyn later told 4BR. "We really liked the approach (quicker paced than nearly every band on the day) of the winners, and although there were small errors it didn't take away from the musical picture they created. It was consistent and well thought out from start to finish."

That approach held the key, as Glyn explained. "The runner-up produced a fine band sound, but it just got overblown in places. There was more risk taking too — and not all of it came off for us. They were two contrasting performances but that little extra security in delivery just edged it the winner's way."

Echo

Glyn's remarks certainly echoed those he and John Doyle made before the results were announced.

"Not every band got off to a good start,"Glyn said, before highlighting specific areas of importance in each movement.

"Letter F saw some bands go too quick to show detail and at M there was a need for better horn and baritone balance to create atmosphere. There was also a need for poise and character at letter T and the key at the end was not to overblow."

Pet grumbles

Meanwhile, John made his points with his usual touch of humour; from specifics about dynamic contrasts and soprano tuning, to his 'pet grumbles' about errant mutes sounds, stamina, vibrato and even misplaced player heroics.

"If you are sitting next to your baritone player, then pat them on the back,"he said, referring to the simple, yet nerve racking solo opening, before adding: "The top two bands were very close — and we spent 15 to 20 minutes going over our notes time and again before we decided on the winner."

He later told 4BR: "We discussed lots of issues throughout the day, especially as the same things tended to crop up in the performances — and overblowing and blending were amongst them. That was what just separated the top two for us in the end."

Findings confirmed

The judges written remarks also confirmed their findings, with Glyn summing up his remarks on Usk: "A performance that had everything. Such a joy to listen to. Bravo soloist — esp Euph."

Meanwhile, John added: 'What an excellent performance — so well controlled and directed. I love the balance, tuning, soloists and style and poise. Thank you for putting a big smile on my face."

Tears and smiles

It also meant that there were plenty of smiles, as well as tears of joy, on the faces of Usk's young players as they, and their rather stunned MD, raced to the stage to join in the joyful celebrations.

"I can't quite believe it,"Jeff Jones honestly told 4BR. "I knew we played well, but we also knew we could have perhaps played better too. I was very sure about the approach we needed to take to create the atmosphere of each movement, so perhaps that gave us the edge."

Remarkable return

The result caps a remarkable contesting return for the band from the pretty Monmouthshire village in South Wales, as well as the start of a new phase in their long term development.

"We only returned to the Welsh Area contest in 2013 after 25 years away,"Jeff added. "That was the result of many years of developing our young players — the result of which is this fantastic achievement.

We now lose six talented youngsters to university — so the process will start all over again. It's all been worthwhile though, and it gives us such a boost for the future."

Delighted Bearpark

With the top two bands being a little way ahead of the rest of the field according to the judges, there was still plenty to celebrate for Bearpark & Esh, as the North East band secured a fine podium finish off the early number 4 draw — thanks in part to the 'Best Instrumentalist' award winning playing of John Hudson on flugel.

Behind them came a trio of hard working performances from Whitburn Heartlands, City of Norwich and Porthywaen Silver — all of who delivered colourful accounts that were just tarnished with a few too many basic tuning and execution errors.

Hard set work

That was also the case with the bands that occupied the midfield and lower placings as Dan Price's demanding work appeared to have been right at the very limit and perhaps beyond the majority of competitor's musical and technical abilities.

Not so the top two — with Usk giving the judges the performance marker they were looking for just before the mid-point comfort break, repelling later challenges from City of Norwich, Porthywaen and BD1, despite MD Lee Skipsey's band producing an evocative rendition full of drama, mystery and colour — led by their remarkable 12 year old principal cornet Daniel Clough.

However, it wasn't enough to just edge in front of their Welsh rivals as Usk hung on to win by a nostril margin.

We only returned to the Welsh Area contest in 2013 after 25 years away. That was the result of many years of developing our young players — the result of which is this fantastic achievementMD. Jeff Jones

Result

Saturday 19th September
Test Piece: 'Visions' (Dan Price)
Adjudicators: John Doyle and Glyn Williams

1. Usk (Jeff Jones)
2. BD1 Brass (Lee Skipsey)
3. Bearpark & Esh Colliery (Tim Oldroyd)
4. Whitburn Heartlands (Robert Fraser)
5. City of Norwich (Andy Craze)
6. Porthywaen Silver (Dougie Graham)
7. Skelmersdale Prize (Karl Stott)
8. Pillowell Silver (Ian Whitburn)
9. Formby (Louise Hough)
10. MacTaggart Scott (Kenny Letham)
11. Castleton Brass (Peter Ryan)
12. Oughtibridge (Gavin Somerset)
13. Porthleven Town (Tom Bassett)
14. Knaresborough Silver (Steve Morland)
15. Abertillery Youth & District (Joshua Ruck)
16. East Coast Brass (Paul Speed)
17. Cubbington Silver (Mark Philips)
18. Pleasley Colliery Welfare (Geoff Benson)
19. Totnes (Alan Wilmott)

Best Instrumentalist: John Hudson (flugel) — Bearpark & Esh Colliery