Carterton firefighters crush rivals

Prize-winning Carterton firefighters Mike Hicks and Steve Fennell asemble the hose at the Waterway Competition at Turangi. PHOTO/FACEBOOK

Carterton's competition firefighters have outclassed their opponents yet again, taking out the North Island Waterway Competition at Turangi last Saturday.

The Carterton fire brigade entered a four-man team and a five-man team, who collectively scooped five firsts and four second places at the annual competition, which includes events such as an extinguisher run, a ladder event and hose accuracy.

Carterton trounced their nearest competitors, with a final 28-point lead over Matamata and pipping last year's champions Silverdale, who placed third.

Carterton fire chief Wayne Robinson said it was one of the most comprehensive wins in the history of the event, which has been running for 25 years.

"It was a faultless day.

"We didn't go with the expectations of winning it -- because of the injuries we had ... but the other teams didn't really have a look in."

The other team members were Mike Hicks, Stephen Fennell, Joe Richardson and Vaea Peterson, a last minute substitution for Blaine Smith who was ruled out with an injury.

It was the 13th time Carterton has taken top honours at the competition.

The team practises twice a week during the competition season, which runs from November to February.

Mr Robinson, who had recently retired from competition, came out of retirement for the event.

"I couldn't bear watching from the sidelines."

His last competition will be the Australasian competition next year which is "hopefully going to be the swan song".

The Carterton team will be competing again at the Wellington Provincial Waterway Competition on February 13 at Carrington Park.