The second leg of the 2016 Welsh League Championship series took place in Fishguard on the weekend, hosted by the West Wales Brass Band Association.

Adjudicators Mike Kilroy and Richard Jones stated that they were impressed by both the overall standard of the playing on show as well as the warm welcome and excellent way the contest day was run.

Leading the way was Tongwynlais Temperance under Christopher Bond, who warmed up for their appearance at the National Finals this Saturday by giving their 'Journey of the Lone Wolf' an early run out of the traps to claim the W. Islwyn Davies Trophy and £200 first prize.

Good time

Solo trombonist Jo Hirst took the 'Best Instrumentalist' award for her fine contribution, whilst Band Chairman, Iestyn Davies told 4BR: "We were delighted with the win as we are keen to continue to support the local contest season whenever possible.

It's come at a good time in advance of our appearance at the Royal Albert Hall, but more importantly we are proud to be able to dedicate the performance to the memory of Terry Hill and our friends at the Tylorstown Band."

Terry, a popular figure in the Welsh banding community died in a road accident earlier this year on the way home from a Tylorstown Band rehearsal.

In a keenly fought contest, Llwydcoed continued to build on its top flight credentials with a well worked 'Paganini Variations' to come second, with talented youngster Ian Johnson taking the 'Best Soprano' prize. Third place went to Goodwick Brass who also played Philip Wilby's popular work.

Llwydcoed now lead the Welsh League series going into the final leg in Merthyr Tydfil next month.

Ebbw Valley bounce back

Ebbw Valley quickly bounced back to winning form after missing out on the chance to create National history at Cheltenham a few weeks ago, as they took the opportunity to reprise 'Ballet for Band'.

It gave them a clear two-point winning margin over Ammanford Town's 'A Salford Sinfonietta', with Abergavenny Borough showing their return to form in third on 'Triumphant Rhapsody, with solo cornet player, Diane Mogford taking the 'Best Instrumentalist' award.

The Welsh League title is now up for grabs with Ebbw Valley in pole position but with an exciting climax in prospect at Merthyr.

Penclawdd win again

The Penclawdd resurgence continues to gather pace in the Second Section as under Tony Small they once again topped the standings — this time with a fine performance of 'Music for a Festival', aided by euphonium player Alun Evans deservedly winning the 'Best Instrumentalist' award.

They are now favourites to claim the Welsh League title in Merthyr after securing the first two legs of the 2016 series, whilst there should be a keen battle behind them after Briton Ferry carried on their good form to come second, with a reprise performance of their Cheltenham set-work, 'Lake of the Moon'. Third place went to Crosskeys Silver playing 'Dimensions'.

Newport hit top form

Newport Borough also continued on its rich vein of form with a reprise of their Cheltenham set-work, 'Music from Kantara' to claim the Third Section honours and position themselves as favourites for the Welsh League title.

Ogmore Valley Silver and Upper Rhondda Brass will be nipping hard on their heels however after securing podium finishes with their renditions of 'Hispaniola' and 'A Malvern Suite' respectively. Gwaun Cae Gurwen's cornet player Rhys Lewis took the 'Best Instrumentalist' award.

Cwmtawe claim Olympian success

There is sure to be a battle royal for the overall Welsh League title in the Fourth Section after Cwmtawe Youth sprang a real surprise by claiming victory over recently crowned National Champions Phoenix Brass (Goodwick), with Oakdale Silver in third.

Cwmtawe's fine performance of 'Olympus' under Wayne Pedrick means that all three bands are now level on points heading to the climax of the season.

Phoenix couldn't quite impress Richard Jones enough in the box with their reprise of their Cheltenham triumph 'Music from Kantara', despite Matthew Jenkins on euphonium once again claiming the 'Best Instrumentalist' Award, whilst Oakdale gave a solid account of 'Anglian Dances'.

Youth springs up

In the Youth Section there was a quartet of fine performances to enjoy — led by Gold Award winners Rhondda Fach Youth (their second in a row in the Welsh League series) ahead of Silver Awards for Milford Haven Juniors and Goodwick Youth and the Bronze Award for Gwaun Cae Gurwen Juniors.

The splendid cornet team of Rhondda Fach Youth took the 'Best Section' award

We were delighted with the win as we are keen to continue to support the local contest season whenever possibleBand Chairman, Iestyn Davies

Results:

Championship Section:

Adjudicator: Mike Kilroy

1. Tongwynlais Temperance (Christopher Bond) — 193
2. Llwydcoed (Chris Turner) — 191
3. Goodwick Brass (Matthew Jenkins) — 188
4. Tylorstown (Gary Davies) — 187
5. Burry Port (Mike Thorne) — 185
6. Pontardulais (Paul Jenkins) — 184

Best Instrumentalist: Jo Hirst (trombone) Tongwynlais Temperance
Best Soprano: Ian Johnson (Llwydcoed)

First Section:

Adjudicator: Mike Kilroy

1. Ebbw Valley (Gareth Ritter) — 192
2. Ammanford Town (Glyn Davies) — 190
3. Abergavenny Borough (Sean O'Neill) -189
4. Blaenavon Town (Lynne Turner) — 187
5. Lewis Merthyr (Craig Roberts) — 186

Best Instrumentalist: Diane Mogford (cornet) — Abergavenny Borough

Second Section:

Adjudicator: Richard Jones

1. Penclawdd (Tony Small) — 191
2. Briton Ferry (Jeff Pearce) — 190
3. Crosskeys Silver (Michael Davies) — 189
4. Crwbin (Craig Roberts) — 187
5. RAF St Athan (Archie Hutchinson) — 186
6. Ynyshir (Gary Davies) — 185

Best Instrumentalist: Alun Evans (euphonium) — Penclawdd

Third Section:

Adjudicator: Mike Kilroy

1. Newport Borough (Robin Hackett) — 192
2. Ogmore Valley (Alice Jones) — 190
3. Upper Rhondda Brass (Jayne Thomas) — 188
4. Gwaun Cae Gurwen (Jeff Hutcherson) — 187

Best Instrumentalist: Rhys Lewis (cornet) — Gwaun Cae Gurwen

Fourth Section:

Adjudicator: Richard Jones

1. Cwmtawe Youth (Wayne Pedrick) — 191
2. Phoenix Brass (Goodwick) (Luke Jenkins) — 190
3. Oakdale Silver (Kerry Bowden) — 188

Best Instrumentalist: Matthew Jenkins (euphonium) — Phoenix Brass (Goodwick)

Youth Section:

Adjudicator: Richard Jones

Gold Award: Rhondda Fach Youth (Angela Westacott)

Silver Award: Milford Haven Junior Band (Bron Parratt)
Silver Award: Goodwick Youth (Luke Jenkins)

Bronze Award: Gwaun Cae Gurwen (Dafydd Lewis)

Best Section: Cornets of Rhondda Fach Youth