GOODWICK Brass Band stunned their rivals at the weekend by claiming a place in the national finals yet again.

Despite making their debut in the First Section of the Welsh Regional Championships in Llandudno on Saturday, March 15 , the young musicians produced a superb performance to finish runners up.

In doing so they booked their place in the National Brass Band Championships of Great Britain, to be held in Cheltenham in September.

The band has fond memories of the event - last year they won the Second Section UK title, earning them promotion to the First section this year.

Unfazed by the prospect of facing eight of Wales’ more experienced bands, Goodwick produced a beautiful performance of Howard Lorriman’s Cry Of The Mountain to impress veteran adjudicator David Read, who was making his final appearance on the competition judging circuit after more than fifty years.

In his comments, Mr Read said: “This had a lovely feel to the music and there was some magnificent work, particularly by the basses, horns and solo euphonium.

"There was a fine ending to a good, solid musical performance which was well-directed.”

Goodwick narrowly lost out to Llwydcoed for the title but came away with the runners up prize of £100 by beating more experienced bands such as Pontardulais, Abergavenny and Rogerstone.

Goodwick’s Musical Director Matthew Jenkins said: “We paid a lot of attention to the fine detail of this deceptively simple but demanding composition.

“Of all our achievements during the past two or three years this was perhaps most significant, given the level of competition. It is a brilliant platform on which to develop our performance skills and even greater incentive to mount a strong challenge at Cheltenham again.”