The heavy metal music seemed tame under the sounds of clashing weapons and armour, and shouts from the crowd.
"Put him down! Get an axe in there! Hit him!"
This was the Sulphur City Clash Full Medieval Armed Combat Tournament. Teams travelled from as far as Auckland and Wellington to take part in a literal fight to be the last man or woman standing.
Sulphur City Clash Full Medieval Armed Combat Tournament
There are rules controlling the specifications of weaponry and armour, where opponents can strike each other and how many times they can balance themselves, but that doesn't stop competitors from taking big hits.
Another round at the Sulphur City Clash Full Medieval Armed Combat Tournament
"I strap them in the armour. There is a lot to tie up, a lot of buckles too, and weapons to provide where needed."
Competitors face off at the Sulphur City Clash. Photo/Stephen Parker
Team member Justin Stockbridge is a full-time armourer and teaches others to make their own.
His business All Fired Up Armouries sponsors the team.
"It is expensive, about $5000 a set," Dufty said.
She said there were about six tournaments a year in New Zealand, and "people do get hurt".
"The steel armour is designed to be bent not broken, so the wearers do get bruising. People don't normally break bones unless they have fallen wrong. "
Despite this, Dufty said she was not worried when her husband joined the team.
"He can handle himself."
And it is not just men that fight.
Dayna Berghan-Whyman was part of a Wellington team named Felag.
Rotorua's Nicholas Matepo Waiariki in his medieval armed combat gear. Photo/File
Organiser and Rotorua fighter Nicholas Matepo Waiariki said he was "really happy" with the turnout at the Medical Officers Reserve beside Mataatua Marae.
"The weather is good. We have some good trophies up for grabs, and we have six teams."
The tournament was held from 10am to 4pm on Saturday and Sunday.
The Results for Sulphur City Clash Tournament 2018: