For what it's worth I thought the first two bands were amazing,
So did a member of my own family.
The other thing is that because I don't play with anywhere near this standard of band the first time for a while I hear any Champ sect band they tend to sound amazing.
Compared to the level you obviously play at they are amazing.
Certainly after the first two they all sounded much of a muchness to me with varying degrees of chod
I am sure that any friends you have at Aveley, Wantage, Medway, 'Brian T's' band (to mention a few) really appreciate their playing being described 'chod'.
until Friary came on and raised the bar again, but they may just have sounded strong because the (winning) band before them seemed all over the shop to be honest from bar one.
....and you can say this because of your vast experience and knowledge
I'll concede this may all be because my ears/ musicianship are dodgy, and I'm sure the chap in the box understood what was going on much better than me.
Now you are contradicting yourself and trying to dig yourself out of the hole you have created.
I have some good friends in Friary and the other bands who I know would give me honest opinions. These people have played in the
Championship Section for a long time. Their comments are based on experience and I value them. When they say that, whilst ours was not a flawless performance, it was a good one that was tight, with good dynamics and a warm sound and most of the technique was clear and, that we deserved to win, I believe them.
Regent Brass, whilst not the best band in the world, has been working damn hard over the last 4/5 years to be where they are. The players probably do more home practice in a week than you do in a month and they have a genius of a young conductor who has got them this far by encouraging and coaxing the raw material that was already in the band.
WE don't buy in Super Stars.
The brass band movement is getting smaller all the time. All you have done here is to put a blanket smear on the Championship Section in the L&SC region. Any younger person reading this could easily ask themselves do they want to aspire to that level only to have [metaphoric] mud and stones thrown at them by 'Armchair Ajudicators' who, actually, know little more than they do. I would guess not.
This is supposed to be a 'sport' (of a kind). I'm not seeing much sportsmanship in your words!!!!!!!!