As expected for some considerable time, Cory Band finishes top of the Band Supplies — 4barsrest World Rankings at the top of the table for the 13th year in succession.

In fact, although not impossible to overcome, Cory's lead is more than likely strong enough to ensure that the Welsh giant will still be there this time next year.

Black Dyke and Brighouse and Rastrick, among others, will no doubt be going all out in 2020 to put as big a dent as possible in Cory's historic domination of brass band contesting, but don't bet too much against more of next year's major trophies heading back over the Severn Bridge.

At this time of year it is customary for us to look back at those who have done well over the past 12 months, as well as those who might be spending a bit more time in the rehearsal room over the winter in a bid to put this year's relatively disappointing contest form behind them.

2019 was a good year for...

2018 to 2019: Band, Total (Points)
1 to 1: Cory, 2,740.42 (+740.49)
6 to 2: Black Dyke, 916.80 (+427.73)
22 to 7: Paris Brass Band, 462.57 (+396.81)
16 to 8: Flowers, 416.31 (+233.54)
23 to 14: Desford Colliery, 219.35 (+158.60)
9 to 9: Tredegar, 404.16 (+83.17)
8 to 10: Carlton Main Frickley Colliery, 402.60 (+76.37)
32 to 22: Friary Brass, 94.26 (+53.27)
10 to 11: Whitburn, 344.25 (+51.10)
73 to 29: Krohnengen, 55.29 (+40.10)
69 to 30: NASUWT Riverside, 54.34 (+8.07)
17 to 15: Burgermusik Luzern, 195.43 (+30.11)
53 to 31: Bayerische Brassband Akademie (+3BA), 47.87 (+26.94)
61 to 32: Northop Silver, 44.47 (+26.54)
31 to 25: Brass Band Schoonhoven, 66.43 (+24.17)
72 to 35: Brass Band Oberösterreich, 38.46 (+22.48)
28 to 23: GUS, 73.59 (+18.06)
57 to 36: Rainford, 36.67 (+16.72)
5 to 4: Eikanger-Bjørsvik, 681.19 (+12.19)
105 to 57: Unison Kinneil, 19.28 (+11.16)

2019 was a disappointing one for...

2018 to 2019: Band, Total (Points)
2 to 5: Valaisia Brass Band, 649.02 (-684.22)
3 to 3: Brighouse and Rastrick, 783.19 (-231.22)
7 to 16: Grimethorpe Colliery, 195.25 (-132.04)
4 to 6: Foden's, 578.63 (-109.46)
15 to 19: Fountain City, 110.38 (-78.26)
13 to 17: Manger Musikklag, 177.01 (-69.22)
14 to 18: Stavanger, 173.55 (-59.73)
24 to 53: Ensemble de Cuivres Valaisan A, 21.39 (-37.73)
12 to 13: Fairey, 233.40 (-32.08)
30 to 65: Brass Band Fribourg, 16.26 (-32.00)
20 to 27: Woodfalls, 62.21 (-29.03)
26 to 40: Brass Band Berner Oberland, 30.86 (-27.77)
18 to 21: the cooperation band, 104.80 (-26.41)
11 to 12: Brass Band Willebroek, 250.55 (-18.46)
39 to 66: Atlantic Brass Band, 15.68 (-13.42)
35 to 46: Tongwynlais Temperance, 24.20 (-12.84)
33 to 42: Buizingen, 28.12 (-12.81)
70 to 156: Oberaargauer Brass Band, 3.93 (-12.14)
40 to 63: Oslo Brass Band, 16.74 (-11.50)
49 to 75: Wingates, 12.71 (-9.91)

Ten best new entries in top 200

123rd: Brass Band Wipptal, Italy, 6.32
128th: Sydney City Brass, Australia, 5.89
133rd: Chapeltown Silver, Yorkshire, 5.05
136th: Sandefjord Brass Symposium, Norway, 4.83
137th: Roche Brass, West, 4.82
142nd: South Yorkshire Police, Yorkshire, 4.51
145th: Forest of Dean, West, 4.27
155th: Brassage, France, 3.95
157th: WA Brass, Australia, 3.92
158th: Stedfast Band, Ireland, 3.91

For the first time, we are also able to show you the top 20 bands of the past decade, based on results at all ranking contests held since January 2010.

Top 20 bands of the decade

1. Cory, Wales
2. Black Dyke, Yorkshire
3. Brighouse and Rastrick, Yorkshire
4. Foden's, North West
5. Tredegar, Wales
6. Eikanger-Bjørsvik, Norway
7. Grimethorpe Colliery, Yorkshire
8. Fairey, North West
9. Valaisia Brass Band, Switzerland
10. Carlton Main Frickley Colliery, Yorkshire
11. Leyland, North West
12. Flowers, West
13. Brass Band Willebroek, Belgium
14. Whitburn, Scotland
15. Burgermusik Luzern, Switzerland
16. Manger Musikklag, Norway
17. the cooperation band, Scotland
18. Paris Brass Band, France
19, Brass Band Schoonhoven, Netherlands
20. Stavanger, Norway

The next updated rankings will include the results of the Butlin's Mineworkers' Festival at Skegness, which gets the 2020 contesting season underway in under a fortnight!

Top 10 bands

1. Cory, Wales
2. Black Dyke, Yorkshire
3. Brighouse and Rastrick, Yorkshire
4. Eikanger-Bjørsvik, Norway
5. Valaisia Brass Band, Switzerland
6. Foden's, North West
7. Paris Brass Band, France
8. Flowers, West
9. Tredegar, Wales
10. Carlton Main Frickley Colliery, Yorkshire

To view all ranked bands go to:
www.4barsrest.com/rankings