There was an excellent turn out of competitors at the popular Morley March & Hymn Tune Contest on the weekend, with a head to head battle between Yorkshire Championship Section rivals Skelmanthorpe and Marsden Silver for the £500 first prize.

Nip and tuck

It really was nip and tuck between the two bands for the Crispin Trophy.

Under the baton of John Roberts Skelmanthorpe managed to overturn a one point deficit from their march performance of ‘The President’ into an overall one point winning margin thanks to a fine rendition of their hymn tune ‘Praise My Soul’, which also gained them an extra £60 in prize money.

Marsden conducted by Glyn Williams had led the way with their rousing performance of ‘Knight Templar’ but couldn’t quite maintain their grasp on the title as they ended second in the hymn tune element with their selection of ‘Love Unknown’.

They had to be content with the £275 and the PDQ Shield on offer for coming runner-up, although that was boosted by a further £60 for producing the best contest march, whilst their soprano player Dale Garner won the ‘Best Instrumentalist’ Award.

Close run podium race

There was an equally close run battle for the final podium slot, with Yorkshire Imperial DUT claiming third place, the Howard Maden Trophy and £150 in prize ahead of Hade Edge by virtue of gaining a higher mark on the march element.

Hade Edge, Crofton, Garforth and Elmfield took their appropriate section awards, with Hade Edge Youth claiming the overall Youth title and best youth march award. Deportment prizes went to Harrogate and Tewit Youth.

Fine style

Skelmanthorpe’s winning MD John Roberts told 4BR that the decision to enter the contest for the first time had paid off in fine style for his band.

"It’s such a well run event that we felt we would give it a go this year. It’s a great contest, and with the fine weather it turned out to be a great day for the band too.

We hope to take part in more contests such as this, starting at the Brighouse event in a few weeks time, especially as there are generous prize pots on offer for all the competing bands at different levels."

Contest Controller Geoff Folwer added: "It was a cracking contest this year – with great weather a real bonus to add the tremendous playing from everyone who took part. We couldn’t have asked for anything better."

It’s such a well run event that we felt we would give it a go this year. It’s a great contest, and with the fine weather it turned out to be a great day for the band tooJohn Roberts

Results:
Adjudicators: Fred Ashworth, Steve Pritchard-Jones, Rob Collinson, Duncan Beckley

March/Hymn Tune = Total

1. Skelmanthorpe (John Roberts): 191/192 = 383
2. Marsden Silver (Glyn Williams): 192/190 = 382
3. Yorkshire Imperial DUT (David Nesbitt): 190/187 = 377
4. Hade Edge (Simon Wood): 189/188 = 377
5. Drighlington (Jim Davies): 188/186 = 374
6. Kippax (David Lancaster): 186/184 = 370
7. Crofton Silver (Kevin Belcher): 185/183 = 368
8. Hade Edge Youth (Simon Wood): 182/180 = 362
9. Elmfield Brass (Stockport) (Jack Bennett): 181/181 = 362
10. Gawthorpe Brass 85 (John Edward): 183/176 = 359
11. Shirland Welfare Training (Dave Harvey): 180/177 = 357
12. Garforth Brass (Mark Wildie): 179/178 = 357
13. Harrogate (Craig Ratcliffe): 178/179 = 357
14. Tewit Youth Intermediate (Steve Heninghem): 177/175 = 352

Skelmanthorpe B and Stanley Newmarket Colliery both withdrew

Awards:
Overall Champion:(£500): Skelmanthorpe
2nd place (£275): Marsden Silver
3rd place (£150): Yorkshire Imperial DUT

Best First Section Band: (£100): Hade Edge
Best Second Section Band: (£100): Crofton
Best Third Section Band: (£75): Garforth
Best Fourth Section Band: (£75): Elmfield
Best Youth Band: (£75): Hade Edge Youth

Best Contest March: (£60): Marsden Silver
Best Hymn Tune: (£60): Skelmanthorpe

Best Youth Hymn Tune: Hade Edge Youth
Best Road March: (£50): Imps

Best Instrumentalist: Dale Garner – soprano (Marsden Silver)

Best Deportment: (£40): Harrogate
Best Youth Deportment:(£40): Tewit Youth