LONDONDERRY — Local police and fire officials went head to head on the field Friday evening as Londonderry's two public safety entities battled for the coveted Old Home Day softball trophy.

Despite Fire Chief Kevin MacCaffrie's prediction that “this is going to be our year,” the town's police force chalked up another victory on the field at Matthew Thornton Elementary School.

Though the firefighters had their moments, including an early home run by Jack O'Connell, they lost the game, 11-7.

A longtime tradition of Londonderry Old Home Day that spans nearly three decades, the two teams have enjoyed quite a rivalry on the field. According to local lore, members of the police team are said to have made frivolous “fire” calls in previous years, leaving the firefighters with little choice but to vacate the field, sirens blazing.

One thing's for certain, however: The police have been the undisputed champions of Old Home Day over the years. In fact, last year was the first time in recent history that the firefighters carried the victory trophy down Mammoth Road in the Saturday Old Home Day parade.

The firefighters' team, which also included friends and family members, consisted of Chief Kevin MacCaffrie, Bo Butler, Mike Robinson, Phil LeBlanc, Jack O'Connell, Brian Healy, Bob Milliken, Scott Gerraghty, Jeremy Mague, Bruce Hollowell, Zack O'Brien and Russell Milliken.

Those on the police department squad included Charles Nickerson, Matthew Laquerre, Adam Dyer, Thomas Olsen, Ryan Kearney, Alvin Bettencourt, Nicholas Pinardi, Jason Archambault, Sean Doyle and Daniel Perry.

Local building inspector Frank Holdsworth officiated the game and offered play-by-play commentary.

The friendly competition was all for a worthy cause, with proceeds from the evening's concession sales to benefit Lions Camp Pride, a camp in New Durham for children and adults with special needs. In keeping with tradition, both the police and fire department made donations to the local Lions Club to help sponsor local campers.

aguilmet@newstote.com