ON THIS DAY - 7th December
Armidale Waratahs (The Tahs) | December 07, 2023
(pictured) Eric Smith
Four centuries, two near misses and a couple of bags of wickets ...
In 1957, ERIC SMITH (#82) and ALAN GRAY (#26), two players who deserve legend status, added 217 for the 3rd wicket for A grade v Churches, a grade record. Smith made 123 and Gray 105 not out, while a young tearaway called Roger Roan took 2-104.
Waratahs v Churches - A grade, 30th November & 7th December 1957
In B grade, Arty See was doing some of his own damage, taking 10-15 (5-13 & 5-2) and then top scoring in Waratahs innings as they very nearly beat TAS outright in a one day game.
Waratahs v TAS - B grade, 7th December 1957
In 1963, B CHARLTON (#178) had a couple of good days, taking 11-68 (6-21 & 5-47) against Dumaresq. Waratahs just squeaked home, winning outright by a wicket.
Waratahs v Dumaresq - B grade, 30th November & 7th December 1963
Dumaresq 90 (B Charlton 6-21) and 115 (B Charlton 5-47, Greg Russell 4-25); Waratahs 99 (S Stanley 28) and 9-107 (S Stanley 41. W Barnden 7-26)
In 1968, BILL THOMPSON (#185) made 105 for A grade v Uni Vets. Collapses at the start and the end of the innings - where Neilsen took a hat trick - robbed Waratahs of the win.
Waratahs v Uni Vets - A grade, 30th November & 7th December 1968
In 1974, GRAHAM JOHNSON (#207) and BRUCE MATHIESON (#250) added 131 for the 3rd wicket for A grade as Waratahs went o a run feast v Easts. Easts did a fair job in reply, with brothers Rick & Mick Porter both getting fifties in a side which would emerge in a few years time as one of the best Armidale has seen. Included in the Easts line up was one Brian Mair. Guiley had one of those rare days went he didn't convert, making 91.
Waratahs v Easts - A grade, 7th & 14th December 1974
In 1991, STU McFARLAN (#606) 101 not out for 1st v Hillgrove but in 5th grade, MATT PINE (#621) just missed out, making 93 v Centrals.
