took part in the World Fire Service Games in Durban, South Africa.

The team returned home late Tuesday with six medals -- all won by the spouses -- after competing against some 2,500 athletes from 29 countries.

Competition took place in virtually every sport but Bermuda only competed in soccer, cycling and running. They were winless in soccer but had four medals in cycling -- three, including a gold, by Wenda Godfrey -- and two in running, both by Carla Scott.

Godfrey won the gold in the 40-mile road race for her 30-35 age group and two silvers, in the 10-kilometre time trial and 25-minute criterium. Whillamae Dunkley took bronze in the 45-49 age group in the time trial.

Godfrey returned to cycling a year ago but has not competed in any Island events this season -- although that could change, said team leader Vic Ball, who represented Bermuda both in cycling and soccer.

Scott posted a time of 26 minutes and 28 seconds in winning the bronze in the 6K cross-country race then took silver with a 1:54 clocking in the half-marathon. Both medals came in the 35-39 age group.

Scott ran in last year's Marathon Derby -- she was in South Africa for Monday's big race -- and posted a time of 2:26. Her goal in Durban was two hours. "So I was really happy,'' said Scott, whose husband Ralph is a fire fighter.

"I found it a lot easier running there,'' the Somerset Primary School teacher added. "Here, I find I get nervous, worrying about who I'm running with and thinking about the course. There, I was able to just relax and run.'' Scott's daughters, Sharnay, 10, and Shari, 14, ran in the Heritage Day junior Classic road race.

Bermuda's soccer team lost all five of their matches, 3-0 to eventual gold-medallists Hong Kong, 2-1 to Holland, 2-1 to France and 2-0 to two different Brazilian teams.

"The competition was keen and very sociable,'' said Ball.

Bermuda sent a team to the inaugural Games in New Zealand eight years ago and are hoping to send a team to France for the 2000 Games, Ball said.

FIREFIGHTERS FIR