ON THIS DAY - 29th September
Armidale Waratahs (The Tahs) | September 29, 2023
In 1956, GEOFF WHITTON (#85) carried his bat for 56 not out in B grade's total of 204 v Acorns. It was his highest score for Waratahs.
In the same game, JOHN RUSSELL (#89) made his debut. One of the longest serving Waratahs players, his 18 seasons started modestly, but as time progressed, his unusual bowling - like the lob exponents of the 1880's - may have looked juicy but it was effective. His 371 wickets places him third in the all time list, just behind A grade legend Tom Cooke. During the 1960,'s he was the go to bowler in A-Res grade and ended his career as the leading wicket taker for the grade (257 wickets). David Tilbury is the only other bowler to take more than 200 wickets in A-Res. He twice bowled Waratahs to premierships, taking 5-69 in the 1969-70 decider against Hillgrove and again in the 1972-73 Final against the same hapless opposition, this time taking 10-69 (6-33 & 4-36) and man of the match both times. He five times won bowling trophies in A-Res grade, yet never once took 40 wickets in a season. Late in his career he dropped down to B grade in the middle 1970's to help out with the new junior side.
Waratahs v Acorns - B grade, 29th September 1956
In 1973, wicketkeeper Cliff "Hunter" Schaefer made a rare appearance in A grade, standing in for Terry Betts and took 4 dismissals v Wright College (3 ct,1 st). One of his catches was future UNE Sports director Steve Griffith and his stumping, standing up to quick David Lynch, was future Waratahs tyro, Tony Bennett.
