From a distance the familiar whites, two batsmen, two umpires, fielders poised as a bowler trundles in.

It is a scene that is played out regularly on grounds across Australia.

But look a little closer and it doesn’t take long to show this contest is a little different to most.

The lack of quick singles are a giveaway.

This is the 25th year of the annual Veteran’s Cricket clash between Gunnedah and Tamworth.

Tamworth’s captain that inaugural game in 1992 was Doug Crowell, who more than two decades later donned the whites on Thursday and filled in for the Gunnedah side.

“It usually clashes with the Sydney show, but it was late this year, so I could play,” Crowell said.

“I can remember the first game, we played it at the No.1 Oval and we had a good win.”

What started with one match is now entrenched on the calendar with the annual clash being one of the highlights of Seniors Week.

Despite being ‘on the wrong side of the hill’ as one player described it, the devotion to the game of these 50, 60 and 70-something players is clearly evident.

Tamworth batted first and posted a formidable 5-196.

No.3 Brian Heyman (39 retired), Peter Virgen (32 retired), Ron Farrell (26 retired), Mike Cashman (23 retired) and Arthur Yates (21 no) impressed with the bat.

Gunnedah’s bowling honours were shared around with Rick Sampson, Bob Haling, Darby Budden and Eric Walters collecting one wicket apiece.

The visitors chase started brightly, putting on 58 for the first wicket before opener Kevin Miller is caught off Heyman’s bowling for 25.

Sampson strode to the wicket to join Haling and both batsmen looked in good touch, scoring 31 before retiring.

The affable Sampson was pleased to find some form.

“I’ve had a bit of a lean trot the last couple of months, but it was good to get a few today,” he said.

But the Gunnedah chase loses momentum.

Despite rain in the preceding days, the outfield at Riverside 5 was quick, although you don’t see too many twos and threes.

Ones and fours seem to be the standard scoring fare, and a Gunnedah batsman is clearly under duress with an existing injury.

A question about whether you are allowed to have a runner gets this reply.

“You can have a runner, but not too many volunteer because they are as sore as the bloke out there.”

Barry King (19), Christo Harmes (17), Eric Walters (15 no) and Budden (11) battle hard, but it is not enough as the required run-rate climbs to Twenty20 numbers.

In the end, Gunnedah posts 5-163 from its allotted 40 overs, with Farrell (2-7 from five overs) the lone multiple wicket-taker.

Tamworth takes the spoils, but there is no major celebrations, just warm handshakes and a laugh between friendly rivals on a sunny Tuesday.