Numbers were down but the sporting spirit was stronger than ever among former Navy and Army rugby union players at their annual match in Canberra on May 2.
This year, the Navy Old Salts and Army Leopards fielded seven-a-side instead of the usual 15 on Australian National University's north oval, before the ADF Rugby Union women's and men's finals.
Warrant Officer Class Two (WO2) Zane Mitchell has competed with the Army Leopards since 2013, after playing for the ADF men's team.
"As fit as we were, there was a lot of space out there and the lungs were feeling it a bit," WO2 Mitchell said.
"Scoring for this match is unique - it is always a 9-all draw.
"Obviously, as there's never a winner, it's all about getting out there and having a bit of a laugh."
Players, including women, can be 35 years or older.
The eldest player, 76-year-old former Chief Petty Officer Ray 'Jesse' James, wore purple shorts to indicate he was not to be tackled.
While Mr James said his fitness wasn't equivalent to the others, he still loved the game and didn't want to come off.
"I decided to play in the centre and got involved in the rucks and mauls and scrums," he said.
"At times I was able to get close to the try line to hopefully score a try, but it wasn't to be. I managed to stay on the whole time, which was a task in itself."
'Obviously, as there's never a winner, it's all about getting out there and having a bit of a laugh.'
It was Sergeant Luke Skipper's first time slipping on the Leopards jersey since retiring from playing competitively and becoming the Army Rugby Union men's manager last year.
He said his competitive edge made it challenging to avoid going too hard.
"We had to back right off with the handbrake because of the older guys, yet, unsure whether to expect a late shoulder as well," Sergeant Skipper said.
Commodore Mark Bailey was thrilled to re-join the ADF rugby community after more than a decade-long hiatus.
Although he played rugby during university, he said deployments and raising children kept him from the sport.
"I think that was my first game of contact in 15 years. The first hit was a bit of a shake-up," Commodore Bailey said.
"I think Army is much too buff, they need to tone it down a bit. It's good to see there are still a few twinkle toes out there; they haven't lost the touch."
Mr James began playing 60 years ago, competing against other ships and military units, particularly New Zealand.
"There were not many countries that didn't play rugby union, so every Navy ship had a rugby team," he said.
"The good thing was we were always the first ashore because we had to get a bit of training in.
"The camaraderie built up in the Navy with rugby is just to die for and that's why I still turn up today."
Commodore Bailey encouraged the younger generation, whether still serving or not, to incorporate sport as part of their wellbeing.
Best on Ground were Commander Richard Austin and WO2 Mitchell.
