They’ll be doing battle on the cricket field later this week, but the St George’s and Somerset cricket teams came together for a ceremony with the Royal Bermuda Regiment Band.

Somerset Cricket Club president Alfred Maybury and St George’s vice-president Mishael Paynter joined Commanding Officer Lieutenant-Colonel David Curley as his guests at last week’s musical extravaganza and Beating the Retreat in Hamilton.

Lieutenant-Colonel Curley said: “It’s that time of the year for the competitive spirit of Cup Match — I reached out to the clubs and said it would be great if we could host senior members.”

The Colonel — a St George’s supporter — added: “They got along really well — with a bit of banter, of course, but I was sitting between them to make sure everything went smoothly. They were very keen to talk about the upcoming cricket match and I was able to tell them about the format and history of Beating the Retreat.”

Mr Maybury said that the rivalry between the two teams is strictly on the cricket pitch, but off the field they are partners.

Mr Paynter added: “It’s a very good ceremony — it’s a part of our culture and history and it’s important we continue our culture and traditions.”

Before the traditional Beating the Retreat ceremony, the Royal Bermuda Regiment Band and Corp of Drums performed with the Bermuda Islands Pipe Band and Highland dancers before a large crowd on Front Street.

The RBR Band and Corps of Drums will travel to Colorado in September to perform at the Estes Park music festival and tattoo.