CINDERFORD Band hopes it has set the scene for this weekened’s England-Wales clash at the Rugby World Cup with its own victory over the Welsh.

The band claimed the honours at the Miners’?Welfare Brass Band Entertainment contest at Newbridge near Newport.

Under the baton of conductor Chris Howley, the Third Section West of England team repelled the strong challenge of a scrum full of eight Celtic rivals to take home the £600 first prize and the splendid South Wales Miners’ Challenge Cup worth more than £6,000.

Cinderford’s winning set opened with Valero, followed by their signature march, Cinderford, before Anthony Murrell took the Yorweth Gowing Memorial Shield as best euphonium for his fine rendition of Philip Sparke’s Rhapsody for Euphonium.

A nice contrast was shown with Witch of the Westmerlands before the band rounded its programme off with the upbeat Toccata in D Minor.

“We’re thrilled with the result,” said Cinderford’s press officer Jo Hume. “Everyone worked so hard and this is a wonderful achievement.”