There was a whiff of celebration to be sniffed in the West Wales air on the weekend as players and supporters recalled recent triumphs over English rivals at both Cheltenham and Twickenham.

Goodwick win

Newly crowned First Section National Champion Goodwick ensured that there was yet another trophy for MD Matthew Jenkins to fill with fizzy cider as they gave a 'super performance' according to adjudicator Steve Sykes of 'The Alchymist's Journal' to take the Championship Section honours.

The win now sets up the Welsh League for an exciting title decider in Merthyr Tydfil in a few weeks time, after Llwydcoed came runner-up with their rendition of 'Essence of Time', with Burry Port third with 'Dances & Arias'.

Albert Hall finalists Tongwynlais Temperance were also invited to give a pre-contest run-out of the set work 'Spiriti' under MD John Berryman, although they were not included in the contest results as currently they are not part of the Welsh League set up.

Markham success

In the First Section there was a first Welsh League win since 2008 for Markham & District, as under the baton of conductor Craig Roberts they claimed the honours with a fine performance of 'Diadem of Gold'.

Craig also led Lewis Merthyr into second place with their rendition of 'Purcell Variations', with Parc & Dare in third playing 'Pageantry'.

It also means that there should an exciting climax to the season in Merthyr with all three bands now closely vying for the overall title.

Ebbw Valley title

Ebbw Valley Brass carried on their run of outstanding contesting success as they caught the ear of Welsh National Opera trumpet player Dean Wright in the box.

The 2015 National Second Section champion of Great Britain overcame the strong challenge of rivals Thomas Coaches Mid Rhondda and Crwbin, thanks to a fine reprise of their Cheltenham winning set-work, 'The Snaring of the Sun'.

Ebbw Valley's win also sets up an exciting finish to the season with the top two bands neck and neck with one win each going into the final contest.

No disappointment for Abertillery

Meanwhile, Abertillery & District shook off any lingering disappointments from their unlucky Cheltenham appearance as directed Josh Ruck they took the combined Third/Fourth Section honours ahead of Gwaun Cae Gurwen and Ogmore Valley.

It also sets things up nicely for a head to head battle at Merthyr in a few weeks time with the top two bands on one win each in the Welsh League series.

The next generation of talented Welsh youngsters were certainly on display in the Junior & Youth Section, with Rhondda Fach taking the West Wales Shield for their Gold Award programme

Ebbw Valley Brass carried on their run of outstanding contesting success as they caught the ear of Welsh National Opera trumpet player Dean Wright in the box4BR

Results:
Championship Section:
Adjudicator: Steve Sykes

1. Goodwick (Matthew Jenkins) — 193
2. Llwydcoed (Chris Turner) — 191
3. Burry Port (Michael Thorne) — 189
4. Pontardulais (Paul Jenkins) — 188
5. Tylorstown (Glyn Williams) — 187

Best Instrumentalist: Chris Smith (euphonium) — Burry Port
Best Soprano: Gemma Davies (Pontardulais)

First Section:
Adjudicator: Steve Sykes

1. Markham & District (Craig Roberts) — 188
2. Lewis Merthyr (Craig Roberts) — 187
3. Parc & Dare (Andrew Jones) — 186
4. City of Cardiff Melingriffith 2 (Robin Hackett) — 185
5. Ammanford (Glyn Davies) — 183
6. RAF St Athan (Alan Bourne) — 182

Best Instrumentalist: Rhodri Ward (horn) — Parc & Dare

Second Section:
Adjudicator: Dean Wright

1. Ebbw Valley (Gareth Ritter) — 196
2. Thomas Coaches Mid Rhondda (Alan Gibbs) — 195
3. Crwbin (Lynne Turner) — 193
4. Ynyshir (Dean Evans) — 192
5. Briton Ferry (Jeff Pearce) — 190
6. Penclawdd (Tony Small) — 189
7. Crosskeys Silver (Ben Atkinson) 188pts

Best Instrumentalist: Bob Burnett (euphonium) Thomas Coaches Mid Rhondda

Third/Fourth Section:
Adjudicator: Dean Wright

1. Abertillery & District (Josh Ruck) — 194
2. Gwaun Cae Gurwen (Jeff Hutcherson) — 192
3. Ogmore Valley (Alice Jones) — 190
4. Upper Rhondda (Jake Pritchard) — 189
5. Newport Borough (Robin Hackett) — 188
6. Oakdale Silver (Keri Bowden) — 187
7. Ystradgynlais (Dr Christian Jenkins) — 186

Best Placed Fourth Section Band: Ystradgynlais
Best Instrumentalist: David Rees (flugel) Abertillery & District

Junior/Youth Section:
Adjudicator: Steve Sykes

Gold Award: Rhondda Fach
Silver Award: BTM Youth: Pontardulais Junior
Bronze Award: Pontardulais Beginners, St Athan & The Vale Youth

Best Section: BTM Percussion Section