Delivering an imaginative and highly-entertaining programme at Porthcawl, Goodwick Brass Band made a creditable but unsuccessful tilt at the Welsh Open Entertainment Championship title.

Goodwick were third best-placed Welsh band but like their countrymen had to give way to an English invasion as Filton Concert Brass repeated their 2016 triumph. The Bristol team were followed home by Wantage (third) with Jackfield from the Midlands in fifth, just a point ahead of Goodwick in sixth out of 12. Llwydcoed were second and Ebbw Valley fourth.

Once again, the youthfulness of the Goodwick band was particularly striking at this Championship level of competition and musical director Matthew Jenkins was pleased with their performance.

“The band worked hard to master some challenging pieces and the fact that only seven points covered the top six shows that we are comfortable in this company.”

Adjudicator Steve Sykes praised the band for their ‘really enjoyable and committed playing’ and praised the band’s super percussion work and the solo skills of principal cornet Luke Jenkins. Overall, their playing was ‘neat and precise’ and ‘full of energy,’ he said.

Goodwick’s journey through the world of music opened with Malaguena, followed by Florentiner March, Shepherd’s Song, Salsa and Klezmer Karnival.

One bright spot for the county was the award of best instrumentalist to Ebbw Valley trombonist Robin Hackett who hails from Milford Haven.

Now Goodwick begin preparing for the Welsh Regional finals next month.