Despite the traditional role such dances -- known as B&S's -- have played as rural Australia's Cupid, [Brad Barnett] and his friend, 21- year-old welder Warwick Ranclaud, doubt this affair will offer the women of their dreams.

The utes, an integral part of B&S culture, have large bull bars attached to the front and are covered with bumper stickers with such slogans as, "My ute, my country, no distance too far, just follow my dust to the next B&S bar."

As they shuffled into their ute the morning after the ball, Ranclaud had a woman's phone number while Barnett left only with a resolve to try again at the next B&S.