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Sun shines as champions topple  

Pipe Bands by Mervyn McConnell

IT was a bright sunny day in Portrush for the 37th Northwest Pipe Band championships where a kaleidoscope of tartan colour was on parade.

Chieftain of the Day, Councillor Mrs Olive Church, Mayor of Coleraine, welcomed the spectacle of the massed bands, which she said was eagerly awaited by visitors, residents and traders alike.

One of the most interesting things about pipe band contests is that the results are not usually a foregone conclusion.

This was proved especially last Saturday when all of the previous week's British Champions were defeated.

Grade 2 Ballycoan were defeated by Bleary & District, Grade 3A Tullintrian were defeated by Syerla, and Grade 4A Quinn lost to Altnaveigh.

There was also a first place win ;for Ballydonaghy Caledonia in 3B. Pipe Major Ken Stewart and Leading Tip Willie Wray, who have only been competing for a short time, were absolutely delighted at winning the overall lst placing as well as best drums and best bass. The band will be heading off next Friday to compete at the world championships in Glasgow.

Bleary & District from Co. Armagh, with Pipe Major Nigel Davidson, were in superb form with playing and sound of the highest quality, which would not have been out of place in Grade l.

One of the finest performances heard in some time was the verdict of one of the adjudicators. Bleary stopped Ballycoan's undefeated run of ten victories, and on this performance will be chasing them all the way for the world title.

Pipe Major Brian McMullan and his Syerla band took the title in Grade 3A by winning best piping and best drums.

After a slight hiccup last week David Hanna's Altnaveigh were back to their winning ways and gave a very strong performance to clinch first place in 4A.

Much credit must go to Pipe Major Darren Frew of McNeillstown as his young band claimed their first time top placing in 4B.

This was only the band's fourth competition in the competitive arena, and needless to say the verdict was received with jubilation.

Only two bands competed in Grade 1 and this was won by Ballycoan, who also won the drumming.

Ulster Star
11/08/2002