This heated match took place between the Station Hotel Kurri Kurri and Cessnock Supporters Club at Baddeley Oval Cessnock in 2003 which is a 2 hour drive north of Sydney. The image has made the front cover of the London Times, New York & Canadian Newspapers and Reuters.
That day fires had previously burnt out the neighbouring suburb Abernathy to the right of the photo, but had remained well in the distance from Baddeley Oval. Station Hotel Club Stalwart Mark Williams explains ‘’ Well what happened was the wind changed around. As it was going through the bush, it was just roaring through. It was like a semi trailer going down the road. It went through at speed, it was that quick!’’
The folk at the Station Hotel are a charismatic, laidback bunch, not particularly phased by too much. Captain Matty Hill said ‘’ Well it wasn’t really affecting us. It was hot already and windy, but the fire didn’t really affect us.’’
In sweltering 45 degree conditions it took a Park Ranger to come to the oval to get them off the field, and reported someone had died hours earlier.
According to Mark ‘’ Before I got over the fence, I turned my back and looked, and the fire had actually spotted out 1 metre from the stumps. We didn’t stay very long and we went back to the hotel.’’
The Station Hotel have even painted one side of the pub with the image. Mark Williams has done interviews with television and newspapers. ‘’ A professor even did a story on us and whether we were lunatics or laconic. It was just crazy. ‘’
So congratulations to the Station Hotel, you typify the true Aussie spirit in having a game of cricket regardless of the situation, but kids do not try this at home.
That day fires had previously burnt out the neighbouring suburb Abernathy to the right of the photo, but had remained well in the distance from Baddeley Oval. Station Hotel Club Stalwart Mark Williams explains ‘’ Well what happened was the wind changed around. As it was going through the bush, it was just roaring through. It was like a semi trailer going down the road. It went through at speed, it was that quick!’’
The folk at the Station Hotel are a charismatic, laidback bunch, not particularly phased by too much. Captain Matty Hill said ‘’ Well it wasn’t really affecting us. It was hot already and windy, but the fire didn’t really affect us.’’
In sweltering 45 degree conditions it took a Park Ranger to come to the oval to get them off the field, and reported someone had died hours earlier.
According to Mark ‘’ Before I got over the fence, I turned my back and looked, and the fire had actually spotted out 1 metre from the stumps. We didn’t stay very long and we went back to the hotel.’’
The Station Hotel have even painted one side of the pub with the image. Mark Williams has done interviews with television and newspapers. ‘’ A professor even did a story on us and whether we were lunatics or laconic. It was just crazy. ‘’
So congratulations to the Station Hotel, you typify the true Aussie spirit in having a game of cricket regardless of the situation, but kids do not try this at home.
i cant believe those idiots kept playing!!! the fires right on the oval fence!
ReplyDeleteGreat australian heroes... It was porbably a do or die match...
ReplyDeleteDon't worry fire, wickets need to be taken
Cahn D. Cotter
Yes Lauren they were a pretty laidback buch of people, not particuarly phased by too much
ReplyDeleteCahn I don't think they were as heroic as the soldiers in World War 1 which is pointed out on your site.
ReplyDelete