Victory for special pipe band

2013 NZ Pipe Band Championships

NATASHA MARTIN/ Fairfax NZ Zoom

KEEP IN STEP: Judge Rod Miller marks competitors in the New Zealand and South Pacific Pipe Band Street as they march along Stafford St.

NATASHA MARTIN/Fairfax NZ

VICTORY HUG: South Canterbury Highland Pipe Band member Scott Shannon receives the band’s first place trophy at the New Zealand and South Pacific Pipe Band Championships held at Timaru Alpine Energy Stadium.

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The South Canterbury Highland Pipe Band has emerged victorious in their grade from the New Zealand and South Pacific Pipe Band Championship.

The event, held in Timaru, drew 54 bands to the city and reached its finale yesterday, where the South Canterbury Highland Pipe took out first place in the Grade 3 section.

The last time a South Canterbury band won in Timaru was when the competition was hosted here more than 70 years ago.

"That makes it extra special," pipe major Scott Shannon said.

It follows ninth placing at the world championships in Glasgow in August.

"It's been a very, very big year for us. Obviously, we went to Scotland to the world champs," Mr Shannon said.

"The team has been working in contest mode for a good 10 months. There's been a lot of practice done at home and in the band hall together, and a lot of very hard work."

Competition in the event was "very strong". He was proud of how his team members performed.

"The guys played the best they've ever played. They saved the best of the national champs."

- © Fairfax NZ News

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