They were bruised muscles, aching bones and tired legs in Edinburgh last week but no sign that rugby's competitive spirit softens with age.
Two years after 4,000 participants enjoyed the warmth and wind of Wellington, the Air New Zealand Golden Oldies World Rugby Festival brought its own special vintage of the sport to Scotland's capital for the 17th such event.
The bi-ennial Rugby Festival was developed for players aged 35 years and over and, while its mantra is enjoyment above victory, the action on the pitch is still competitive enough to warrant an international entry of 120 teams from 18 countries.
Former Scottish internationals Scott and Gavin Hastings were two of the event’s ambassadors, and also advanced enough in years to play.
“We've had this festival here all week and it's just absolutely brilliant, you see the camaraderie around,” Scott told Total Rugby.
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“There's some fantastic rugby, everyone's got their story to tell, most of the guys played rugby at a reasonable level and all of a sudden they've come back after many years and that's what it's all about.”
The older of the two brothers, Gavin came up against a team boasting this year's senior statesman Easton Roy. At 85 years old Roy appeared mis-matched against the giant former Lions captain less than half his age, but the competition's unique handicap system came to his aid.
'Special Committee' shorts ensured that even if stretching for the try line, Roy was not to be touched.
Up to 59 years old - club shorts or red shorts - If a player is wearing red shorts in this category it means they do not want to be tackled to the ground or pushed off their feet. Any player in red shorts may be "held" but NOT tackled.
60-64 years old - Red shorts - can be claimed but not tackled
65-69 years - Gold shorts - not to be tackled
70-84 years - Purple shorts - not to be tackled or touched
85 and over - Special Committee shorts - not to be tackled or touched
“I thoroughly enjoyed it, it’s just a pity I’m not a bit faster,” said the 85-year-old. “It doesn’t make any difference - I got a black eye wearing red shorts anyway in one of the games!
“I never played rugby until I joined the services but when I first got introduced to it, it was like a duck to water. It’s difficult to get games now at our age but the golden oldies is a great set-up, wonderful,” he added.
“I did tackle a guy with red shorts the other day," admitted Hastings, "which is a strict no-no for golden oldies rugby, so I presented him with a bottle of whisky with my apologies. I think I got away with it.
“It's just great to see people walking around with a smile on their face, this is what the game is about for me, the grass roots, not necessarily in age terms but certainly in fun friendship and fraternity terms so it's been a wonderful festival. It's been both a privilege and an honour to be involved,” he said.
In 2010 the event heads back south to the harbour splendour of Sydney. Wallaby great Mark Ella was in Edinburgh to promote the next edition and, like the Hastings brothers, found the lure of the action hard to resist.
“It’s been great to get back to Edinburgh. I played my last test match at Murrayfield in 1984 and haven’t been back since then so it is good to come back and catch up with old friends,” Ella said.
“I definitely feel like a Golden Oldie, I’m not too sure of the running, catching and passing - I think the skills are long gone, but it is a lot of fun.”
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Abridged from Total Rugby - watch the full feature on this week's TV show, or listen here on the radio show from Thursday.
