Welsh banding continued its remarkable run of success at Cheltenham racecourse on the weekend as Goodwick, Ebbw Valley and Usk claimed a trio of National titles in the First, Second and Fourth Sections.

And over two days of intense competition when the traditional powerhouse regions of the UK were left in their wake, it was left to the smallest 'Area' of the North of England to claim the remaining trophy on offer as a delighted Houghton Brass won the Third Section.

Cheltenham may well be the spiritual 'away home' of Irish racing, but it has also quickly become the 'away chapel' of Welsh banding hopes too — as the country can now boast a remarkable tally of 9 title successes since the event moved from Harrogate in 2011 — and fifteen in the last 10 years.

Ebbw hat-trick

Three of those now belong to Ebbw Valley, as under the baton of Gareth Ritter they started the bandwagon rolling on Saturday afternoon with a commanding victory in the Second Section.

Much like the great Arkle who is honoured with pictures recalling his Gold Cup hat- trick of triumphs in the 1960's, the course owners may well now consider putting up a plaque near the famous winning post after they became the first band since Ashton under Lyne in 1999 to capture three Nationals titles in a row.

The band's vastly experienced Eb tuba player David Meredith won the 'Best Instrumentalist' award in a performance later described to 4BR by one of the judges as 'simply fantastic'.

Double result

That was also the 'double result' hoped for by Band Manager and tuba player Dean Woods, as he took the opportunity to pop the question to fiance Isobel Cook straight after the band had their picture taken with the latest piece of silverware.

Thankfully she said yes — and the diamond ring glistened on her finger as brightly as the smile on the faces of their fellow players, as they all shared what was an unique piece of Welsh banding history.

Although their victory was in little doubt after they played around the mid-point of the contest, the band was strongly challenged by North West rivals and eventual runner-up Eccles, with the other Welsh representative, Deiniolen, a delighted third.

The remaining top six prizes were shared out amongst the Areas with Carlton Brass, Wotton under Edge and Old Silkstone making up the top six.

Usk surprise

There was to be further Welsh celebration on Saturday evening as Usk upset the bookies odds to snatch the Fourth Section title from under the nose of the highly backed favourite BD1 from Yorkshire.

In what proved to be the tightest of 'photo finishes' according to the judges John Doyle and Glyn Williams — one that they told the audience prior to the results took over quarter of an hour of pouring over notes to make, they eventually opted for the mid-way marker of Usk to win by a nostril length from their rivals.

Intake of breath

There was an audible intake of breath from the audience as BD1 was announced in second place, but that was soon followed by the sounds joy as Usk's teenager representative clutched the National Trophy is disbelief — soon to be mobbed by her ecstatic fellow players and an overwhelmed MD Jeff Jones.

In what was another good result for North East banding, Bearpark & Esh ended a fine third, although there was also a humorous touch of disbelief after it was revealed that the 'Best Instrumentalist' award had gone to their flugel player John Hudson — who just happened to by National sponsors Geneva Instrument's representative on stage!

The remaining to six places in a contest that saw the very difficult set work, 'Visions' also come out the winner, went to Whitburn Heartlands, City of Norwich and Porthywaen Silver.

Houghton delight

There couldn't have been a happier set of players on show all weekend than those from Houghton Brass, as the North East band set about enjoying the six hour return trip home with the Third Section National title safely in their grasp.

Formed as a youth band back in 1983 by conductor and schoolteacher Tom Gibson to ensure his youngsters could continue to enjoy playing in a brass band even after they left full time education, 32 years of long term planning came to fruition on Oliver Waepsi's delightful set work, 'The Graces of Love'.

Musically engaging

As the latest generation of youthful Houghton performers took turns having their pictures taken with the cup, some now mature 'originals' from 1983 were also found to have a few tears in their eyes — none more so than 'Best Instrumentalist' award winner James Wright.

In what proved to be the most musically engaging contest of the entire weekend, there was delight for another youth inspired band as Camborne Junior Contesting came runner-up, with a powerful performance from the more mature set up of Ifton Colliery in third.

The remaining top six places went to Hucknall & Linby, Horbury Victoria and Renfrew Burgh.

Goodwick

On what was their sixth consecutive Finals appearance, Goodwick Brass claimed their second National title under the baton of inspirational conductor Matthew Jenkins, with an outstanding account of Kenneth Hesketh's 'The Alchymist's Journal' — a piece that tested the majority of the 17 contenders to the limit and beyond on Sunday evening.

However, that was not to be the case with Goodwick.

Taking to the stage as the penultimate band of the weekend, the West Walians gave arguably the most complete performance of all 70 Cheltenham finalists, topped by principal cornet Luke Matthews, who supported his brother's conducting by leading the way with his fantastic 'Best Instrumentalist' contribution.

The performance was so good that Paul Hindmarsh from publishers Faber Music, who helped the composer rescore the work for the contest came on stage to tell the young players that it has been the best he had ever heard.

Gripping

It was also hard to disagree with adjudicators Paul Holland and Prof Roger Webster as they wrote in their remarks that their, 'very fine performance' has 'been gripping from first bar to last'.

Until the Welsh band played, the contest seemed destined to be a fight between fancied contenders Newtongange and Roberts Bakery, but in the end there was further Welsh celebration to be heard as the strong early performance from City of Cardiff (Melingfiffth) held its own to come runner-up, with Roberts Bakery just behind them.

Scotland will now have to wait another year before they can break their First Section 'duck' as Newtongrange's persuasive accent eventually finished fourth, with fellow Scots Unison in fifth and Haverhill in sixth.

Perfect timing

On a weekend that ran perfectly to time thanks to the excellent work of the hard working stage crews and registration support staff, and with test pieces that catered for all musical tastes, no wonder there were smiles on many more faces as people eventually filled out of the famous racecourse to make their way back to hotels or home.

However, the one question that they will all be asking after another memorable weekend of contesting, will be how on earth can anyone stop Welsh banding carrying on their remarkable run of success here next year.

Full news reports from each section will appear as soon as possible