The Tameside Open took pace on the weekend at Dukinfield Town Hall, where a healthy turn out of bands provided plenty of post Regional entertainment in the four sections.

Championship Section

In the Championship Section, it was Ashton Under Lyne who took the honours with their performance of 'English Heritage' to beat off the challenge of Rainford in second place, who performed 'Trittico' and Poulton in third who reprised 'Salute to Youth'.

With just four bands on show, it was encouraging that the winners and runners up chose not to reprise their regional test pieces once again.

Run of form

Meanwhile, in the Second Section, the fantastic run of form continued for Oldham (Lees) as they picked up yet another victory following their success at the Regional Championships as they took the honours with a reprise of ‘New World Sketches’.

Middleton upped their form from Blackpool where they came 5th, to claim the runners up spot with ‘Crusade’ by Rieks van der Velde, whilst third place was taken by Skelmersdale, who came 6th in the Third Section at Blackpool, playing ‘Kaleidoscope’ by Philip Sparke.

Victory laurels

In the Third Section the victory laurels were taken by Boarshurst Silver conducted by Dave Ashworth with a performance of ‘The Dark Side of the Moon’ to pip Uppermill, playing a repeat of ’The Once and Future King’. Third place went to Coppull & Standish who played ‘Triptych’ by Philip Sparke, who just a few weeks ago came 6th in the Fourth Section at the Areas.

After coming a lowly 13th at Blackpool just a few weeks ago the win was a tremendous return to form for Boarshusrt.

Clear cut

In the Fourth Section, a clear cut victory was taken by Formby, who built on the success of coming 7th in the Third Section at Blackpool to take the title playing, ‘Northern Landscapes’.

Second place went to Besses Boys, with ‘The Dark Side of the Moon’, whilst there was a highly encouraging result for Hazel Grove who came third following their 19th place at Blackpool in the Fourth Section. Their reprise of ‘The Talisman’ seemed to find more favour in the tent on this occasion.

Championship Section:
Adjudicator: Duncan Beckley

1. Ashton under Lyne (Martyn Evans) — 190
2. Rainford (Neil Samuel) — 188
3. Poulton — le — Fylde (Gareth Westwood) — 187
4. Blackpool Brass (Chris Larder) — 186

Second Section:
Adjudicator: Duncan Beckley

1. Oldham Band (Lees) (John Collins) — 189
2. Middleton (Matt Stringer) — 187
3. Skelmersdale (John Ludden) — 186
4. Flixton — 184
5. Tyldesley (Rob Taylor) — 183
6. Dodworth Colliery M.W. (Eliot Darwin) — 181
7. Haslingden & Helmshore (David Holland) — 180

Third Section:
Adjudicator: Paul Andrews

1. Boarshurst Silver (David Ashworth) — 192
2. Uppermill Brass (Alan Widdop) — 191
3. Coppull & Standish (Andrew Baker) — 190
4. Trinity Girls (David Ashworth) — 188
5. Stalybridge (J. Binns) — 186
6. Farnworth & Walkden (Peter Ashley) — 185

Fourth Section:
Adjudicator: Paul Andrews

1. Formby (Louise Hough) — 191
2. Besses Boys (James Holt) — 188
3. Hazel Grove (Nigel Beasley) — 187
4. Blackley (Adrian Smith) — 186
5. Darwen Brass (Steve Hartley) — 185
6. Tarleton Brass (Gillian Bould) — 184
7. Brindle (John Smith) — 182
8. Carrbrook Brass (Jason Smith) — 181
9. Littleborough (Adrian Woodhead) — 179
10. St John's Band (Mossley) (Stephen Corbett) — 178
11. Denton Brass (Graham Smith) — 177
12. Parr (Richardson Ltd) St Helens (Russell Prescott) — 176