Hyfel war games

Hyfelians traditionally launched skirmishes and raids on their southern countrymen every other year, as time went on it became more of a sport rather than an actual invasion. In the modern era the Hyfel war games replaced it, obviously you can't be raiding your own country every other year with guns and tanks. Instead, a new sport came of it.
The Hyfel war games are a sort of tournament, involving all the great Mregian houses. Many Mregians gather in the old battlegrounds that make up the border between, forming teams that represent the houses and regions of Mregia. Sword sparring makes up most of the tournament, with the 2 winning teams going on to be the leaders of either side of the war games.
One team is north and the other is south, the goal is to for the north to attack and the south to defend. The start point is the Nyrivus wall. Each team has to come up with a strategy to force the other side to surrender, or take all their players out of the game.
Each player gets one life, and referee's prowl the grounds, along with medical staff in case anyone actually get's hurt.
If the north takes the Nyrivus village, they win.
If the south take all the Hyfel castles, or succesfully repel the south, they win.

History

Hyfel used to be at odds with their own country, but never officially absconded, they just launched raids into southern territories each winter, but always lost it the next year. In the modern age this tradition evolved into a sort of sports event, where traditional weaponry and armour are used instead of guns and tanks.

Execution

The tradition starts with sparring contests, each team represents their respective house. The 2 winners of the sparring contests are given command, and get to choose which houses they want on their side for the war games.
The war games involve an attack and defence, the north attacks, whilst the south defends.
The winner gets a trophy, an old relic which was stolen back and fourth for centuries, and has now become a symbol of north and south good relations. There is also a great feast where both sides can blow off steam and have fun together. The feast represents a feast of a Nyrivus and Hyfel king, who decided their 2 counties should stop fighting.

Components and tools

Contestants can supply their own weapons and armour, but the swords have to be non-dangerous, not sharp or very heavy.
Each house pitches in for the great feast, as well as any other costs.

Participants

Any Mregian citizen can attend.

Observance

Near the start of winter, every other year.