A curiously severe test of Championship Section aspirations unfolded before adjudicators Major Paul Norley and Richard Marshall on the Saturday at the Civic Hall in Bedworth, although in the end it was a trio of solidly led bands that claimed the qualification places on offer for Cheltenham.

Confident

Come the results it was Staffordshire conducted by Leigh Baker who took the honours for a third time since the section was inaugurated in 1992, as the former Brighouse & Rastrick MD moulded together a coherent, confident performance to secure victory off the early number 3 draw to return to Cheltenham for the first time since 2014.

Joining them there will be Foresters Brass 2000, as the defending champion comfortably secured their return under John Davis (aided by some very fine solo contributions), whilst the emerging Enderby led by Simon Gresswell booked their first National Final appearance since 2014.

None unscathed

No band emerged unscathed from tackling 'Brass Metamorphosis' — a clearly structured work by James Curnow that placed challenging but not overtly taxing demands on both soloists and ensemble. However, it still caused a fair amount of havoc — not helped by a propensity for dynamic and tempi excesses by far too many of the 18 contenders.

The sympathetic remarks of the judges did not hide the reality though; and as has been the case at every regional contest this year the work shone a rather uncomfortable light on First Section standards.

Consistency

Consistency, or the lack of it, was the key in deciding the qualification fates, with an engaging early marker provided by Rushden Town in eventually finishing fourth, ahead of enjoyable accounts from Oddfellows Brass and Bedworth Brass in fifth and sixth respectively.

For Staffordshire (who were relegated from the Championship Section in 2017), victory came after a fraught couple of weeks of contest preparation due to player illness, unavailability and the severe weather conditions.

However, as their hard working Chairman Shaun Elliott later revealed: "Despite all the negative aspects of the preparation causing the cancellation of much needed rehearsals, the players once again showed what an incredible group of people that they all are, by putting all that aside and concentrating on the mission in hand.

My heartfelt thanks go to all the very talented conductors who lead the rehearsals — Alan Gifford, Jonathan Pippen and, of course, Leigh Baker and to all our friends old and new for helping us out. Our challenge is now to go to Cheltenham with the same focus and determination, and win the National title once more!"

A repeat of that 2002 triumph may well be on the cards (even off an early draw) if the band can build on this latest regional triumph, whilst both Foresters Brass 2000 and Enderby will also travel confident of being able to produce performances of potential title success.

For Staffordshire (who were relegated from the Championship Section in 2017), victory came after a fraught couple of weeks of contest preparation due to player illness, unavailability and the severe weather conditions4BR

Result:

First Section:

Test Piece: Brass Metamorphosis (James Curnow)
Adjudicators: Richard Marshall & Major Paul Norley

1. Staffordshire (Leigh Baker)*
2. Foresters Brass (John Davis)*
3. Enderby (Simon Gresswell)*
4. Rushden Town (Adele Hudson)
5. Oddfellows Brass (Rob Boulter)
6. Bedworth Brass (David Maplestone)
7. Burbage Buxton (Steve Critchlow)
8. Kibworth (John Hudson)
9. Bilton Silver (Rugby) (David Stowell)
10. Carlton Brass (Gary Wyatt)
11. Shirebrook MW Unison (Colum O'Shea)
12. Ibstock Brick Brass (Simon Willis)
13. Leicestershire Co-op (Graham Jacklin)
14. Gresley Colliery (David Purkiss)
15. Glossop Old (Duncan Beckley)
16. Harborough (Brad Turnbull)
17. Wigston (Chris Small)
18. Shirley (David Hirst)

*Qualify for National Final