Rainford claimed the prized 'Battle' honours in the Senior Cup in Blackpool on the weekend, with a performance of Philip Sparke's American inspired composition worthy of a 'Purple Heart' for valour as well as excellence.

Under the direction of former Black Dyke baritone player Gareth Brindle, the North West Area First Section band topped a determined, but ultimately well-beaten field of rivals with a classy account; described by adjudicators Dr Robert Childs and John Doyle as ultimately being a 'very clear winner'.

Successive victories

It was Rainford's second successive Spring Festival victory on just their third appearance at the event — following their win in the Senior Trophy last year. They now head to Cheltenham in September as one of the short priced favourites to add the First Section National title to what is becoming a formidable roll-call of contesting honours.

Joining them in the Grand Shield in 2017 will be top-flight Albert Hall qualifier Thoresby Colliery, who continued their recent run of excellent 2016 form, alongside the delighted duo of Welsh contenders Llwydcoed and NASUWT Riverside from the north east.

The remaining top-six places went to the solid midlanders of Ratby Co-operative and Derwent Brass, whilst at the other end of the results table, BTM, Aveley & Newham, Fishburn and Newtongrange were relegated to the Senior Trophy.

Section above

"This band should be in the section above,' John Doyle wrote in Rainford's remarks, adding, "A stunning, musical, stylish, balanced performance with nothing left in the bandroom. I enjoyed all of it."He later added the postscript; "Thank you and enjoy the Grand Shield next year."

Meanwhile, Dr Robert Childs was equally impressed: "A fine performance, so musically shaped — and Bravo all soloists — especially solo cornet."

That special mention was reserved for principal cornet Morvern Sinclair, who also won her second successive 'Best Instrumentalist' award at the Spring Festival, although her MD later told 4BR that he felt that every player in his band deserved a commemorative medal for their efforts.

Superb

"Morvern was superb as usual, but I can't thank all my players enough,"Gareth Brindle said. "The Area set-work was a challenge, but this was something else — and everyoner stepped up to the mark. I think the secret to the success was that we really enjoyed the challenge of it — myself in particular as a conductor after last playing it with Black Dyke at the Nationals in 2007."

He added: "We know that if we want to become a successful top section band these are the pieces we have to play and play well. The work the band put in reflected that — and all that note bashing to get everything to fit together and then deliver in the right style paid off. The victory is great, but seeing the progress the band continues to make is even better."

At this rate it will not be long before Rainford returns to Blackpool to lock horns with the likes of the major contenders at the Area contest such as Foden's, Fairey and Leyland, although Gareth revealed that they must win at Cheltenham to do that.

"Even though we qualified this year we didn't get promoted. There is no resting on our laurels — and the incentive is now to win in Cheltenham. That hard work starts at our next rehearsal."

Can do attitude

Although as perhaps expected 'Music for Battle Creek' could not be fully mastered by the majority of the 18 competitors in the Pavilion Theatre, an admirably bold, 'can do' approach, which Philip Sparke wrote about in the foreword to his work, was certainly on display throughout an enjoyable contest.

That was also highlighted by John Doyle in his witty, but keenly observed pre-results remarks, as he praised the bands and the main soloists (who he said all deserved a drink) for their 'fantastic' efforts on what he said was, 'a very difficult piece'.

And whilst applauding them for all 'giving it a good go,' he ensured that everyone was also aware that the men the box 'could not forgive' the amount of loose ensemble playing, the lack of basic cohesion in starting the movements together and some of the poor choices of tempo — especially in the technically difficult 'Rondo' finale.

There was also a light-hearted 'slap on the wrist' for over-enthusiastic pedaling BBb tubas, 'very loud' bass drum players and MDs who failed to understand that the piece may have been written in three separate movements — but not ones that needed a 45 second break between each.

Little problem

A little later both he and Dr Robert Childs added to 4BR that they had little problem in picking the top four qualifiers.

"Rainford was a very clear winner,"Bob said. "They produced a fine performance that had that extra touch of quality about it. Second place was also clear, as were the two other qualifiers. Behind them the piece caused much greater difficulties though."

The judge's deliberations meant that Thoresby Colliery will be further boosted in confidence as they look towards their Albert Hall appearance in October. They immediately returned to the Grand Shield following last year's relegation with a confident, stylishly delivered account under Ian McElligott that rounded off the first half of the contest in substantive style.

Standard

Earlier, Ratby Co-operative set the standard as Michael Fowles marked his last contest outing with the band with a typically well thought-out rendition to end fifth, whilst the equally experienced Dave Roberts steered NASUWT Riverside through an initially nervous opening to build in confidence in claiming the last qualification place on offer.

Straight after the mid-point comfort break Derwent Brass impressed with their bold approach to claim sixth under Keith Leonard, before Llwydcoed's neatly delivered rendition, that featured one of the best paced 'Rondo' finales of the day, pushed the delighted Welsh band into the podium slots — securing their second successive Spring Festival promotion into the bargain.

No flag of surrender

However, it was a less successful day for other contenders, although the severe challenges of 'Battle Creek' did not find a single band hoist the white flag of surrender.

A combination of inspired soloists (much of the trombone playing was of a very high standard), well chosen tempos (the 'Rondo' was invariably taken a notch or two below the marking) and a ballsy American inspired approach by the MDs, that certainly fitted in with the inspiration behind the work, meant that although battered and bruised, each emerged with credit — even if the wisdom of choosing 'Battle Creek' for the second tier level at the contest was still open to debate.

None though about the validity of the newly crowned champion, or the bands that will join Rainford in the Grand Shield next year: Each is now just one more battle away from the British Open itself.

The work the band put in reflected that — and all that note bashing to get everything to fit together and then deliver in the right style paid off. The victory is great, but seeing the progress the band continues to make is even betterGareth Brindle

Results:

Test Piece: Music for Battle Creek (Philip Sparke)
Adjudicators: Dr Robert Childs & John Doyle

1. Rainford (Gareth Brindle)*
2. Thoresby Colliery (Ian McElligott)*
3. Llwydcoed (Chris Turner)*
4. NASUWT Riverside (David Roberts)*
5. Ratby Co-operative (Michael Fowles)
6. Derwent Brass (Keith Leonard)
7. Staffordshire (Jonathan Pippen)
8. St Dennis (Darren Hawken)
9. City of Cardiff (Melingriffith) (Dewi Griffiths)
10. Blackburn & Darwen (Huw Thomas)
11. Kingdom Brass (Paul Drury)
12. Vernon Building Society (Poynton) (Neil Samuel)
13. Skelmanthorpe (Jim Davies)
14. Yorkshire Imperial Urquhart Travel (Steven Walsh)
15. Newtongrange Silver (Dr Keith Wilkinson)**
16. Fishburn (Joseph Cook)**
17. Aveley & Newham (Martin Heartfield)**
18. BTM (Jeff Hutcherson)* *

Best Instrumentalist: Morvern Sinclair (cornet) Rainford)

*Promoted to Grand Shield
**Relegated to Senior Trophy