The Hepworth Band made the short journey home laden with silverware after they completed a fine day of contesting in Holmfirth by claiming the top section honours with a confident rendition of 'Dances & Arias'.

Grand Shield hopes

Led by 'Outstanding' award winning conductor Ryan Watkins, they impressively warmed up for their forthcoming Grand Shield appearance in Blackpool where they hope to carry on the contesting form that has already seen them qualify for the Royal Albert Hall.

Adjudicator Sandy Smith gave them a clear two point margin of victory from runner-up Boarshurst Silver with Unite the Union in third.

In addition to the Groom Cup Trophy and £500 to help pay for their Blackpool B&B, they also topped the separate hymn tune discipline playing 'Sandon' to add another £50 to the kitty, as well as Dan Chan and Harry Porthouse winning the 'Best Euphonium and 'Outstanding Soloist' accolades to go with their 'Best Basses'.

It was the band's second win in three years at the 96th running of the popular event.

Constructive comments

Reflecting on their success on their Facebook page, they said: "We had a great day performing 'Dances and Arias' as part of our preparation for the Grand Shield. We were delighted to be crowned as overall winners, with many of our soloists being rewarded for some great contributions.

Well done to all the other prize-winners and thanks to Sandy Smith for some really constructive comments for us to take forward, and the organisers for another fantastic contest!"

Boarshurst and Unite the Union left pleased with their efforts ahead of their Spring Festival challenges (they played 'Fantasy for Brass Band' and 'Terra Australis' respectively), whilst the remaining top-six places went to Blackpool bound Yorkshire Imperial ahead of Tewit Silver and Meltham & Meltham Mills.

Hatfield win again

Hatfield & Askern Colliery made it two wins in a row at the event as under Richard Marshall they secured their 'double' of test-piece and hymn tune awards playing 'Purcell Variations' and 'Hyfrodol' to once again take the Beever Shield and a prize package of £450.

In addition, Richard Marshall and his daughter Esme both took home silverware of their own, as did the band's 'outstanding' trombone section.

Second place went to Barnsley Brass who played 'Oceans' aided by their 'Outstanding' award winning euphonium player Barry Clegg, with the final podium slot taken by East Riding of Yorkshire with their performance of 'Olympus'.

Littleborough double

The Littleborough Band also successfully defended their Section C title under conductor Ashley Higgins with a super reprise of the recent Area set-work, 'I Daedelus' to retain possession of the Holme Valley Cup and a prize package of £350 after topping the hymn tune discipline playing 'Nicaea'.

Second place went to Yorkshire Fourth Section Area champion Queensbury Music Centre, with Linthwaite in third. The encouraging turn out in the section also saw solid performances from top-six finishers of St. John's Mossley, Tewit Community Brass and Cleethorpes.

Although there was just the one entrant in the Youth Section, Tewit Youth produced a super performance under the baton of Martin Hall who deservedly headed home with the Stanley & Ida Hirst Memorial Trophy and £250 for their efforts.

Well done to all the other prize-winners and thanks to Sandy Smith for some really constructive comments for us to take forward, and the organisers for another fantastic contest!Hepworth Band

Results:

Section A:

Adjudicator: Sandy Smith

1. Hepworth (Ryan Watkins)
2. Boarshurt Silver (Jamie Prophet)
3. Unite the Union (Jonathan Beatty)
4. Yorkshire Imperial (Stephen Malcolm)
5. Tewit Silver (Martin Hall)
6. Meltham & Meltham Mills (Tom Haslam)

Hymn Tune:
1. Hepworth
2. Unite the Union
3. Boarshurst Silver
4. Meltham & Meltham Mills
5. Yorkshire Imperial
6. Tewit Silver

Outstanding Euphonium: Dan Chan (Hepworth)
Outstanding Bass Section: Hepworth
Outstanding Soloist: Harry Porthouse (Hepworth)
Outstanding Conductor: Ryan Watkins (Hepworth)
Highest Placed First Section Band not in the prizes: Meltham & Meltham Mills

Section B: (Second and Third Section)

Adjudicator: Sandy Smith

1. Hatfield & Askern Colliery (Richard Marshall)
2. Barnsley Brass (Ben Brickles)
3. East Riding of Yorkshire (Fiona Bishop)
4. Kippax (James Beecham)
5. Emley (Tim Sidwell)
6. Slaithwaite (Simon Jacobs)
7. Dronfield (Colum O'Shea)

Hymn Tune:
1. Hatfield & Askern Colliery
2. Barnsley Brass
3. Kippax
4. Slaithwaite
5. East Riding of Yorkshire
6. Dronfield
7. Emley

Youngest Player: Esme Marshall (Hatfield & Askern Colliery)
Outstanding Euphonium: Barry Clegg (Barnsley Brass)
Outstanding Trombone Section: Hatfield & Askern Colliery
Outstanding Percussion Section: East Riding of Yorkshire
Outstanding Conductor: Richard Marshall (Hatfield & Askern Colliery)
Highest Placed Third Section Band not in the prizes: Dronfield Band

Section C: (Fourth Section, Unregistered and Training bands)

Adjudicator: Sandy Smith

1. Littleborough (Ashley Higgins)
2. Queensbury Music Centre (Chris Lewis)
3. Linthwaite (Tony Robertson)
4. St. John's Mossley (Ben Hill-Wilson)
5. Tewit Community Brass (Andrew Williams)
6. Cleethorpes (Brian Harper)

Hymn Tune:
1. Littleborough
2. Queensbury MC
3. Linthwaite
4. Tewit Community Brass
5. Cleethorpes
6. St. John's Mossley

Outstanding Soloist in Section C: Solo Cornet (Linthwaite)

Youth Section:

Adjudicator: Sandy Smith

1. Tewit Youth (Martin Hall)