A COUPLE of local pipe bands could be hitting the grass for the new season after having been provisionally graded in 4B by the RSPBA's Music Board (it met last week to approve a number of grading changes, all subject to approval from the Board of Directors). The Augharonan band, based in Co Tyrone between Seskinore and Fintona, were last seen in grade 3B in August 2011, but have regrouped for the season ahead with a number of young pipers and pipers and drummers. And St Mary's Derrytrasna from Lurgan, winners of multiple championship contests in the 1980s and 1990s, have been absent from the competition scene for even longer, but are set for a hugely encouraging comeback in what is shaping up to be an appetising fourth tier this term. We wish them both well in for the campaign ahead.