Grampian Police Pipe Major Drew Sinclair has called upon his players to turn good performances into title winning performances.

His call came after the curtain fell on another season which saw the Band secure just the one of the five major titles – the Scottish Championships in May this year, and give up the prestigious Grade 2 Champions of Champions title which they won last year.

Drew explained, "When you look at the season on the whole, we played better this season than last, yet we have less trophies and titles to show for it."

And the Pipe Major put that down to an increase in standards at the top of Grade 2.

He said, "There is little doubt, the top Bands in Grade 2 have all improved and as a Band, we need to be doing more in the close season to ensure we are capable of winning more titles next year if we are to fulfil our potential and gain promotion back to Grade 1."

"This year I felt our performances were of a better quality and more consistent than last year , however it is clear the majority of judges did not share my opinion.  We need to ensure we can stand out from the crowd to gain significant success next season"

The Band was third overall in the Champions of Champions race, behind Ravara and eventual champions, Seven Towers.

A seventh place at the British Major in Annan in June and a sixth position at the Worlds in August were of particular disappointment for the Police Band.

Elsewhere they picked up third at the European Championships in July in Ireland and second at the Cowal Championships in August.

The Band had more success at local competitions winning at Turriff, Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Mintlaw, with only the Bridge of Allan competition escaping them.

Those performances saw the Band retain their title of RSPBA North of Scotland Champions of Champions for both Grade 2 and 1.

But it is at the major competitions that promotion is won and PM Sinclair knows the Band haven't done enough this year to be in the reckoning.

He said, "You can't expect and wouldn't want to be promoted after winning just the one major.  Next year we will have to win a few more to really push for contention."

And he added, "The players know themselves we played really well this year but even so, we need to up our game.  The players are desperate to be ready for May next year, so much so, they've cut short their break to come back to practices early."

PM Sinclair added, "We will get the chanters and pads out and start where we left off.  Hopefully we will strengthen certain areas of the Band and with a good winter behind us, come May, we will be back ready to win more titles."

ENDS