Fire team: Penarthian comes to the rescue! (From Penarth Times)

Fire team: Penarthian comes to the rescue!

A TEAM of South Wales firefighters experienced a complete role reversal last month, when they found themselves in need of rescuing.

The Welsh Fire Services' seven-a-side rugby union team were hoping to head for Hong Kong between February 18 and 25, to battle it out against the fittest firefighters from around the globe, for a title in the World Firefighter Games.

However, they desperately needed a cash injection to buy new rugby kit, having already delved deep into their own pockets to contribute towards the trip.

Rescue came in the form of Penarth businessman, Mike Cuddihy, who decided to sponsor the team, donating more than 1,000, which enabled them to purchase full rugby kit for each team member.

Even though the Games' rules meant that no sponsorship names were allowed to be printed or displayed on any sports kit, Mike still decided that the team was a worthy cause.

The team didn't let South Wales down, and beat off strong competition from countries including New Zealand, South Africa and Australia, returning with a gold medal - their second success, having already gained the world champion title in the previous World Firefighter Games in Sheffield in 2004.

Mike, who lives in Caversham Park and owns demolition and recycling company, Mike Cuddihy Demolition, was delighted with the win, and praised the team for coming up trumps against such tough competition.

"I'm glad to see this rugby team putting Wales on the map, even if the'other' team aren't doing so well in the Six Nations," he said.

Divisional Officer Gareth Lloyd, of the South Wales Fire and Rescue Service, added: "We would like to thank Mike for his generosity. I hope that part of his reward is the fact that we brought back the trophy."

* The World Firefighter Games sees firefighters from around the globe competing in the largest event of its kind in the industry. The Games encompass a wide range of sports and activities, from the more traditional track and field events, through to rowing, cycling, swimming, football, rugby and archery.

The South Wales team of men and women competed against Fire and Rescue Service personnel from the four corners of the globe, and gained a well earned 11 medals - four gold, four silver and three bronze in activities including rugby, squash, body building, darts and beach volley ball.

l Another success story emerging from the Games, was that of Penarth Firefighter, Ian Buckley, who won two gold medals in the darts competition - one for the doubles and one for the mixed category.

In the mixed category, Ian teamed up with a colleague from Hong Kong, and with Karen Blatchford, of Penarth. Karen, who was accompanying her Firefighter husband Wayne - Sub Officer at Penarth Fire Station - on the trip, agreed to step in at the last minute, and helped the South Wales team increase their cache of medals.