For much of Will Burke's life summer has meant donning the whites and winter lacing up the footy boots.
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And while the former has predominantly be something to do during the rugby off-season, he does love his cricket.
"I probably get into my footy a bit more but I love getting out there on a Saturday," Burke said.
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On Saturday he will he hoping to help Bective-East post their first win of the season when they take on his former side South Tamworth.
Burke played five seasons with Souths after starting in third grade alongside his father, and Tamworth Magpies coach, Peter.
He joined the Bulls three seasons ago to play with a couple of mates from uni that had come back to town.
With uni and other things, he has only been able to play "on and off", but this season he is in for the long haul.
"I'm back full-time this season, so get a full season in which is good," he said.
It follows what was his final season with St Alberts.
"It was good to be out there. I think Albies were a bit unlucky. We had a few boys out with COVID; we probably lost five or six first graders which is a shame," Burke said.
"But we gave it a good crack.
"We were lucky to make the finals. We bowed out to Coffs there but it was a good season. We had a lot of fun with it."
For Burke personally it was a bit of a disrupted one. The backrower, who last season led the students to the grand final, missed the start of the season after breaking his hand in the pre-season.
Fortunately he was able to get back and run out in Albies colours a few more times.
"It's a bit emotional when you finish up. There's a lot of blokes who I've spent a lot of time with and am good mates with but you have to move on some time," he said.
What the future holds he's not too sure. He said he has had a few mates mention pulling on the black and white again (he played his junior rugby with the Magpies).
Most likely, as it was with the Bulls, where he ends up will be governed by where his mates are playing.
For now though his focus is with the Bulls.
They are yet to pick up a win but Burke believes one isn't too far away.
"I think we've been unlucky at times just trying to get into the rhythm of the season but it's looking positive," he said.
Two weeks ago they had a tie with West Tamworth and then last week they almost knocked off defending champions Old Boys.
"I think we were probably one crucial wicket away in that game last Saturday. There was a good partnership towards the end, which got them back into the game because we were on top for a bit," Burke said.
He took 1-27 and the big wicket of Old Boys opener Simon Norvill, having the previous week been the Bulls equal top-scorer with 20no.
In Saturday's other games City United face West Tamworth at Riverside 2 while Old Boys and North Tamworth match up at No.1 Oval.
