The second leg of the 2019 Welsh League Championship recently took place in Maes Y Gwendraeth School in Cefneithin, hosted by Gwaun Cae Gurwen Band and the West Wales Brass Band Association.

Burry Port success

It proved to be a keenly fought day of own-choice competition, led by Burry Port, who won the First Section by a single point margin from rivals Pontardulais, with Markham & District in third.

Burry Port's reprise performance of the recent National Final test-piece 'Endeavour' gave them the nod over their west Wales rivals, although Pontardulais principal cornet Christopher Jenkins took the 'Best Instrumentalist' award for his contribution to their rendition of 'The King's Lie'.

Newport victory

In the Second Section there was also a victory for a National Finals representative as Newport Borough under the direction of Robin Hackett gave a fine repeat rendition of Edward Gregson's 'Occasion'.

The band's flugel player Amy Hackett took the 'Best Instrumentalist' award to help them secure a clear two-point victory over Mid Rhondda, with Abertillery in third.

RAF St Athan win

In the Third Section there was success for RAF St Athan under Alan Bourne, with a neatly structured rendition of 'Saint-Saens Variations'.

Helped by the excellent soprano contribution of 'Best Instrumentalist' winner Pauline Morgan, they pipped rivals Briton Ferry by a point, with Ynyshir in third.

Excellent GCG

In the Fourth Section, Gwaun Cae Gurwen carried on their excellent domestic form with victory playing 'Beecher Variations' under the baton of Robert Burnett.

Just a point behind was Cwmtawe Brass, with principal cornet Elin Jones taking the 'Best Instrumentalist' award, with Crosskeys Silver in third.

Great youth

There was also a great deal to enjoy with the performances of the youngsters in the Youth Section, with all three ensembles providing excellent efforts that certainly impressed adjudicator Paul Holland.

There was a deserved Gold Award for Pontardulais Training Band, with Silver Awards going to Gwaun Cae Gurwen Junior and Newport Borough Training.

Burry Port's reprise performance of the recent National Final test-piece 'Endeavour' gave them the nod over their west Wales rivals4BR

Results:
First Section:

Adjudicator: Paul Holland

1. Burry Port (Ceri John) — 188
2. Pontardulais Town (Paul Jenkins) — 187
3. Markham & District (Matthew Rowe) — 186

Best instrumentalist: Christopher Jenkins (Pontardulais Town)
Winning Conductor Trophy: Ceri John (Burry Port)

Second Section:

Adjudicator: Paul Holland

1. Newport Borough (Robin Hackett) — 186
2. Mid Rhondda (Alan Gibbs) — 184
3. Abertillery & District (Joshua Ruck) — 182
4. Seindorf Arian Crwbin (Andrew Jones) — 181
5. Ammanford Town (Glyn R Davies) — 180
6. Penclawdd Brass (Tony Small) — 179

Best instrumentalist: Amy Hackett (flugel) — Newport Borough
Winning Conductor Trophy: Robin Hackett (Newport Borough)

Third Section:

Adjudicator: Jonathan Pippen

1. RAF St Athan (Alan Bourne) — 180
2. Briton Ferry Silver (Jeff Pearce) – 179
3. Ynyshir (Dean Evans) — 178
4. Upper Rhondda Brass (Graham Sheppard) — 177
5. Severn Tunnel (Gavin Clemmons) — 176

Best instrumentalist: Pauline Morgan (soprano) — RAF St Athan
Winning Conductor Trophy: Alan Bourne (RAF St Athan)

Fourth Section:

Adjudicator: Jonathan Pippen

1. Gwaun Cae Gurwen (Robert Burnett) — 175
2. Cwmtawe Brass (Glyn R Davies) — 174
3. Crosskeys Silver (Sion Rhys Jones) — 173
4. Oakdale Silver (Kerry Bowden) — 172

Best instrumentalist: Elin Jones (Cwmtawe Brass)
Winning Conductor Trophy: Robert Burnett (Gwaun Cae Gurwen)

Youth Section:

Adjudicator: Paul Holland

Pontardulais Training Band (Kevin Shanklin) — Gold Award
Gwaun Cae Gurwen Junior Band (Dafydd Lewis) — Silver Award
Newport Borough Training Band (Hayley Giles) — Silver Award

Best Performance of the Day: The West Wales Trophy: Pontardulais Training Band
Best Section Award: The Trevada Music Trophy: Percussion (Pontardulais Training Band)