The current Welsh Regional champions, Tredegar, conducted by Ian Porthouse warmed up for the start of the second half of the 2008 contesting season by winning the Welsh National Eisteddfod title in Cardiff on the weekend.

Small field

Followed by cameras of BBC Wales News, the band secured the £900 first prize against a disappointingly small field of rivals on Sunday by a five point winning margin.

Second place on the day was taken by RAF St Athan directed by Alan Bourne, whilst third went to Deiniolen conducted by Gavin Saynor.

The contest was shown live on the Welsh television channel S4C, and a repeat of each of the performances in the four sections can be seen at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/eisteddfod2008/sites/results/results1.shtml?rhif=13

To be fair, we were very much the favourites here, but we still put in the hard work and tried to improve on the contest standards we have set ourselves so far this yearIan Porthouse

Dragon's Rise

Tredegar’s winning performance started with the appropriately titled, ‘Dragon’s Rise’ by Matthew Hall, followed by the cornet solo ‘The Paragon’ featuring principal cornet Dewi Griffths. Rutter’s ‘Irish Blessing’ and the xylophone feature ‘Duelling Xylos’ was rounded off by the ‘Fugue’ from Philip Sparke’s ‘Graduation Day’.

MD Ian Porthouse was happy with the bands fourth domestic title of the season, following wins at the Miners Eisteddfod at Porthcawl, the Welsh League contest at Tredegar itself and the Welsh Regional at Swansea.

Confidence boost

"It’s a nice way to start the second half of the year off," Ian said. "To be fair, we were very much the favourites here, but we still put in the hard work and tried to improve on the contest standards we have set ourselves so far this year. It gives us a further boost of confidence ahead of the Nationals in London in October."

Tylorstown victory

With the Championship and First Section combined the Second Section title on the Saturday was taken by Tylorstown conducted by Gary Davies ahead of Lewis Merthyr directed by Gareth Pritchard and Newtown Silver led by Steve Edwards.

Goodwick debut

Meanwhile, the Third Section saw victory go to Goodwick Brass from Pembrokeshire ahead of Ynyshir and City of Cardiff (Melingriffth). Other competitors in the section were Blaenavon Town, Gwaun Cae Gurwen and Ogmore Vale.

The win for Goodwick also saw a debut victory for 20 year old conductor Matthew Jenkins who played with the band as solo euphonium until joining Cory last year.

The band took the £400 first prize, with highly polished entertainment programme of ‘The New Colonial March’, ‘Nikita’, ‘All Through The Night’ and ‘Toccata in D Minor’.

Crosskeys win

The Fourth Section honours were taken by reigning Welsh champions Crosskeys directed by Keri Bowden ahead of the West Wales contingent of Crwbin and Loughour.

Results:

Championship Section:
1. Tredegar (I. Porthouse) – 195pts
2. St Athan (A. Bourne) – 190pts
3. Deiniolen (G. Syanor) – 188pts

Adjudicator: Lloyd Landry

Second Section:
1. Tylorstown (Valley Lines) (G. Davies)
2. Lewis Merthyr (G. Pritchard)
3. Newtown Silver (S. Edwards)

Third Section:
1. Goodwick Brass (M. Jenkins) 188pts
2. Ynyshir – (D. Evans) 187pts
3. City of Cardiff (Melingriffth) (G. Ritter)- 184pts

Fourth Section:
1. Crosskeys Silver (K. Bowden)
2. Crwbin (J. Jones)
3. Loughor