Chief fire officer Terry O'Connell, wearing a white cap,
and the Queenstown Volunteer Fire Brigade cricket team
discuss tactics before the game begins on Saturday.
The Queenstown Volunteer Fire Brigade took home the
trophy after comfortably securing its first cricket win over
Queenstown Police in six years on Saturday.
Camaraderie and banter between the services was the order of
the day, but the firefighters looked hungry for victory from
the off, with ruthless bowling cutting a swathe through the
thin blue line of batsmen.
The force was strong with Constable Dave Falstead, but even
he was sent back to the bench before too long.
A dozen or so supporters watched intently from the sidelines
in perfect weather conditions on the Queenstown Recreation
Ground while the game continued at a gentlemanly pace,
pausing only for the ingenious distribution of cold beer to
thirsty players by quad bike.
Constables Craig Gibson (left) and Dave Falstead step out
to bat. Photos by James Beech.
The police were dismissed for 81 while the brigade chased
down the target for the loss of four wickets with five overs to
spare.
The prize for best catch was awarded to chief fire officer
Terry O'Connell. The booby prize for outstanding dive nowhere
near the ball went to qualified firefighter Richard Preston.
A postmatch barbecue was held at the nearby fire station.
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