WHAT started as a bit of backyard rivalry has evolved into an annual Country Music Festival cricketing battle.
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For seven years now the Newcastle XI has been waging war on the World XI in a park in Morilla Street on the opening Saturday of the festival.
It all started with a bit of sibling rivalry between Tamworth brothers Bryson and Michael Swab.
Bryson, who went to university in Newcastle, put together a team of his mates from uni to form the Newcastle XI and older brother Michael got together a team of “the rest” to form the World XI.
After the first year the concept grew, with friends of friends coming into the fold.
Over the years over 68 players have made their debuts, with players travelling from as far away as the Sunshine Coast, Broken Hill, Wagga Wagga and Wollongong to take part.
“It’s a great day and good fun,” Michael said.
Many of the players are Tamworth boys who have moved away for uni and work, and they usually make a weekend of it and soak up the festival atmosphere.
They also try to pool a bit of money together for charity.
It is a real family affair too, with Bryson and Michael’s father Wayne handling umpiring duties (or half of them).
Each year the two sides take on a new name.
This year’s edition featured the Newcastle Rhinos and World XI Scorpions.
For the record the Scorpions prevailed in a Super Over.
The Rhinos won the toss and batted first, making 237 from their 30 overs on the back of Mitchell Stubbs (58), Daniel Kahl (48) and Luke Krug (44).
The Scorpions then recovered from a poor start to also post 237 and send the game into a Super Over to decide bragging rights.
The tail really wagged for the Scorpions, with Richard Strong hitting 39, vice-captain Matt Krug 31 and Ian Lockhart 36 after Jake Harper had made 47 batting at nine.
In the Super Over, Nat James was James Faulkner-esqe for the Scorpions, smacking two sixes as the they made 19.
The Rhinos could only manage seven in reply.
The Scorpions’ win ties the ledger at 3-all after last year’s match ended in a draw.