The 1st Troon Boys' Brigade pipe band have won a coveted World Championship title – after organisers admitted to an embarrassing “compiling error” from the judges’ scorecards.
The band wowed the crowds during the recent two-day event at Glasgow Green; taking two firsts in the piping categories, a first in the drumming category and eighth place in the ensemble category.
Those combined scores helped them to achieve a second-placed finish in the Grade 4B final on Glasgow Green – behind Syerla & District pipe band.
However, the group has been informed that a bizarre mix-up in the drumming and ensemble scoring process means it has been crowned Grade 4B band world title winners.
The Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association (RSPBA) has apologised to the Troon lads after they were denied their winning moment in front of thousands of spectators. An investigation is underway.
A statement on 1st Troon BB pipe band’s Facebook page reads: “When compiling the final marks, the ensemble score and drumming score were the wrong way round, therefore, meaning Syerla pipe band are now the Grade 4B World drumming champions – but it also means that, finishing first place in ensemble, 1st Troon BB pipe band are now officially the 2022 Grade 4B World pipe band champions!
“Nobody wants to win or lose a championship this way. We have spoken to Syerla pipe band and passed on our best wishes, fully understanding how they feel.”
The circumstances behind 1st Troon's world title win won’t take the shine of their achievement.
The statement added: “What an achievement by such a hard-working group of young men who are such a credit to the town.”
Paul Brown, vice chairman of RSPBA issued a grovelling apology.
He said: “The RSPBA would like to publicly apologise to the 1st Troon Boys' Brigade and Syerla & District pipe bands who have been impacted by a compiling error in determining the result of the Grade 4B Final.
“Investigations began on August 15 having been notified of a problem. It was identified that the drumming and ensemble scores/adjudicators had been reversed during the data capture of the placing sheets. This had an impact on the winners of both the band and drumming prizes.
“The association chairman has written an apology to both the bands involved.”
Mr Brown confirmed the Grade 4B best drumming corp prize was won by Syerla & District pipe band – using the updated drumming placings – and that 1st Troon BB pipe band now win the Grade 4B Band title using the updated ensemble placings.
He added: “We deeply regret we failed to deliver the high standard that you’ve come to expect from the RSPBA.
“I am taking this incident seriously and looking at measures to be put in place to prevent this happening again.”
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