Grampian Police Pipe Major, Drew Sinclair, has challenged the Band to build upon the early success achieved so far this year, and win a top placing at the Scottish Championships.

The call came after the Band swept the boards again this weekend, winning both the grade 2 and grade 1 competitions at the annual Branch Mini Pipe Band Competitions.

The competition, on Saturday March 20th, 2010, was held within St Machar Academy, Aberdeen.  Despite a disappointing turn out in the higher grades, PM Sinclair was clearly delighted with the Bands performances which earned plenty of plaudits from those who had turned up to watch.

The Band entered two Mini Bands in grade 2 but only one in grade 1, after a request to enter a second Mini Band in grade 1 was turned down by officials on the day.  Never-the-less, the Bands were placed first and second in grade 2 and first in grade 1.

The Band also picked up best drum corps for both grades.

Pipe Major Sinclair led all three Bands playing their revised medley selection for the first time.

Speaking afterwards, he said: “I was really pleased with the performances and sound today. The feedback from the judges was very complimentary and that’s an indication we are heading in the right direction.”

He added: “To win each of the competitions in the Quartets last month and now the Mini Bands is a tremendous achievement.  The attitude of the players has been spot on.”

But PM Sinclair warned there was still work to be done ahead of the first major of the season in Dumbarton, on May 22nd.

Although the Band has enjoyed a string of good results at majors in recent seasons, a top six placing at the first major has evaded them for several years.  Results in recent years may have been inconsistent but the Band were still placed a lowly 13th and 11th in their last two Scottish Championship outings.

Drew added, “For whatever reason, we always seem to struggle at the Scottish.”

“But our confidence is high and with a little more practice I am sure we can go there with the belief this year we can achieve a top placing.”

ENDS