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ON THIS DAY - 5th October

Armidale Waratahs (The Tahs) | October 05, 2023

In 1957, Waratahs A grade had a rude shock when the Armidale High School team had them chasing leather all afternoon, making 286. ERIC SMITH (#82) had a long spell at the bowling crease, becoming the first Waratahs bowler to concede a hundred runs in an innings in taking 5-109. ALAN GRAY (#26) held three catches in the innings, two of them early when the innings had been on the rails at 3-34, thanks to breakthroughs by opening bowlers Graeme Moffatt and John Carr. It was an ex-player who did a lot of the damage, as 1953 Final star and AHS teacher Don Paul (pictured) made 114 not out and shared a 4th wicket partnership with R Bennett that added 191. On the second day, the same pair routed Waratahs for 103.


While Paul and Bennett might have dominated but there was no shortage of talent in the AHS side: Brian Roberts and Ray Rose would play for Waratahs, among others and Dick Mills, Ray Blair and Allan Dudley would all be future stars on the fields of Armidale.

About Me

Armidale Waratahs (The Tahs)

Founder
Waratahs CC of Armidale; The Tahs Inc
www.thetahs.com.au
Armidale, Australia
The history of a proud club which grew men from boys through the simple act of trusting them with something very precious.

Favourite players: Life members: Alan Gray, Harry Deiderick, Graham Johnson, Ian Campbell, Syd Philp, Graham Patterson & Albert Hofkamp.

Favourite grounds: Wicklow Oval (Rologas Fields), Harris Park, West Armidale Park (Lambert Park), The Armidale Sportsground

All-time cricket hero: Any bloke in the Royal Blue cap.

Favourite bat: The one that scored the most.

Most memorable moment in cricket:
1952-53 A grade Final, beating Easts 2 outright after our worst A/1st grade total in the sixty year history of the club. Beat the very strong Uralla in the last round to just scrape into the semis and then Easts 1 in the Semi. Played one player short on the first day after a mix up with team sheets and made 163 in the sunshine, Ross Ridley 59. Easts 0-57 at stumps after four dropped catches. Didn't play the second day for two weeks because of the Armidale Show and then after four days of heavy rain. Wicket now a sticky and impossible to bat on. Easts all out for 95, Don Paul 6-24. Batting a second time, Waratahs still one short and Ridley now out injured, all out for 21. Easts needing 90 don't make it to halfway, all out for 43, Don Paul 7-20. Waratahs win their first premiership in only their third season.

What’s the best cricket advice you’ve ever received:
Join the new Waratahs! The Tahs memberships available by contacting https://forms.gle/oY26v79kETLzYxqH7