ASHBOURNE CONTEST

Grade 4

Band
P
Px2
D
Total
Place
University of Bedfordshire
1
2
1
3
1
Wolverhampton
2
4
2
6
2
Standard Triumph
3
6
4
10
3
Nottinghamshire Police
4
8
3
11
4
Essex Caledonian
5
10
6
16
5
Birmingham Irish Pipes & Drums
6
12
7
19
6
Bolton Caledonia
7
14
5
19
7
Scunthorpe & District
8
16
9
25
8
City of Exeter
9
18
8
26
9
Seaforth Highlanders
10
20
10
30
10

Once again a great sound from the pipes, if anything even better than last week at Corby - didn't even need fine tuning before we went in to the contest arena.

For the second week running, a major piping error towards the end of the first tune ruined again what would have been a fine performance (although a different piper this time!), and listening to the recording you could be forgiven for thinking it was an intentional piece of harmony/counterpoint!

So once again we were beaten to the first place by the University of Bedfordshire

Grade 4A

Band
P
Px2
D
Total
Place
University of Bedfordshire
1
2
1
3
1
Wolverhampton
2
4
2
6
2
Nottinghamshire Police
3
6
3
9
3
Essex Caledonian
4
8
4
12
4
City of Exeter
5
10
5
15
5

Piping sound was maintained from the Grade 4 March Selection and, in the tuning park, things were going really well with some good performances.

However once again nerves got to a couple of the pipers and finger errors were evident, plus the playing overall wasn't as well controlled as we are capable of, leading to some roundness in the performance, particularly the reels

Once again, 1st place went to the University of Bedfordshire.

Grade 3

Band
P
Px2
D
Total
Place
101 Northumbrian Regiment
1
2
2
4
1
RAF Waddington/Halton
2
4
1
5
2
City of Newcastle
3
6
4
10
3
Manchester Phoenix
4
8
3
11
4
Greater Manchester Fire & Rescue
5
10
5
15
5
University of Bedfordshire
6
12
6
18
6
Wolverhampton
7
14
7
21
7
Nottinghamshire Police
8
16
8
24
8
Essex Caledonian
9
18
9
27
9

Again the sound was maintained and we played into the circle with a good deal of confidence...... but....... again finger errors littered the performance

So, no surprise to not make the prize list, particularly considering the number of good grade three bands who were in the event

 

I would like to say we were pleased overall with the two second places in the Grade 4 events but in all honesty I think we were more relieved that the piping errors hadn't cost us more in terms of final places

 

That's our 2014 season in England finished - four Grade 4 events entered and four 2nd places gained - not bad but just that little bit away from where we would obviously like to be. At least we're competing on piping tone once again, we just need to tighten up our execution.

Our last contest is Cowal at the end of August, so just a few weeks to try and improve things before venturing North of the border.