The Grade 1 Toronto Police Pipe Band finally found themselves on top as they won the premier grade MSR contest on Saturday, July 18 at the Cambridge Highland Games. Temperatures were extremely high throughout the day, as was the humidity level, making it a challenging day for the competing bands. Peel Regional Police tied with Toronto Police for best pipes, as they took second place, while the 78th Frasers rounded out the competition in third, taking best drums again in the process.
This is the first win in a sanctioned PPBSO contest for new Toronto PM Sean McKeown, who took over from Ian K MacDonald prior to this season.
Paris Port/Dover were the only entry in the Grade 2 Medley contest, and now look forward to a robust contest at the Glengarry Highland games in two weeks.
Eight bands competed for top spot in the Grade 3 Medley event, which was won by the Toronto Police Grade 3, with a consistent set of ordinals that included a best pipes designation, and a 1st in ensemble. Windsor Police had their customary solid performance, finishing comfortably in second place, while Rob Roy pipe band took third.
Guelph Pipe Band continued their winning ways by taking the Grade 4 Mini-Set contest over second-place Arnprior MacNab, with Grand Celtic Pipe Band taking 3rd.
In Grade 5, Niagara Police and Barrie Pipes & Drums again battled it out, with Niagara maintaining the edge on this day to take the top spot. Barrie picked up 4 second place scores to finish runner-up, while the Ryan Russell Memorial Pipe Band rode a solid performance to their best-ever result since the band was formed last year, taking the third place trophy. Well done to the young members of this band, who have come a long way in two short years under the direction of PM Brian Urkosky.
Ian K MacDonald was again the professional piper of the day, with Kyle Wardell building on his strong season taking the professional drumming. Amateur piper was Tyler Bridge, with the amateur drumming prize going to MacKenzie Chamberlain.
