ON THIS DAY - 29th March
Armidale Waratahs (The Tahs) | March 29, 2024
Massive day in Finals games for Waratahs
FINALS
In 1981, in the last A grade Final (before it was rebadged as 1st grade), Waratahs lost what became known as Frosty's Final, after he valiantly resurrected Waratahs hopes. Easts innings was greatly helped by the breakdown of Rene Mullen, but in a team rich in bowling talent, Wes Davis, Roger Sattler, Brian Mair and the reluctant Michael Connolly, were more than enough for a plucky Easts. The turning point, after Connolly had removed the openers, was the introduction of Sattler. Taking out the dangerous Rick Porter (stumped of Betts' pads), the now rampant Sattler copped the rejection of being denied a caught behind off Brian Warren. It had more wood on it than Nottingham Forest and Warren profited to steer the Easts innings. When Waratahs started the chase, their batting mainstay for the season, Connolly, left in the second over and just as Sattler and Peter Langston had a rebuild underway, Wally had his nose rubbed in the flip side of a controversial caught behind, clearly missing one from David See but being sent. Graham Frost lost Graham Johnson (run out) and Brian Mair quickly but created partnerships with the next three, a young man playing one of his best innings and in a crisis. Mike Porter and Neil Baillie bowled most of the afternoon and toil finally reaped reward as Frosty's task proved just too much, holing out as Bennett was playing backfoot cover drives from beside the square leg umpire.
Waratahs v Easts (Final) - 28th & 29th March 1981
The all conquering Waratahs Vets lifted the A-Res grade Premiership trophy from the hands of their own club mates, beating Waratahs regular side in the Final. The Vets had been minor premiers and their experience and class showed in the final. The youngsters slumped to 3-13 in the face of Brian Joice with the new ball and when John Roberts introduced himself at first change, he quickly removed the inform Andrew Davis and Paul Brock and it was all uphill from there. Christian Quaife did his best to make some sort of a total but the Vets were in total control. That control extended to their batting, which closed down their opponents with no other objective than batting long. With no other outcome possible, the youngsters saluted and moved off, after a long, spirited spell from Bruce Bradley. It marked a glorious return for many of the Veterans and a wonderful way for a long servant of the club, John Roberts, to bow out of the game.
Waratahs Vets v Waratahs I (Final) - A-Res grade, 28th & 29th March 1981
In 1987, Graham Johnson returned to skipper Waratahs 1st grade side to the Premiership, with a comprehensive thrashing of Easts in the Final. Graham Frost held three catches in Easts 48 over innings of 67, the crucial one being Andrew McNeill's sucker punch of the champion Rick Porter, caught at deep backward square, hooking. From there, Easts crashed in slow motion, losing 8-24. The Saturday afternoon was one of tedious, excruciating pain for Easts, as Waratahs did them over in adagio and without relent. The lessons of the previous Final v Centrals would not repeated with the cagey Johnson at the helm. Michael Connolly was superb and Joe Harrison and Andrew McNeill were the Freddie Mercury and David Bowie of the attack, always keeping Easts "under pressure", while Connolly tormented their edges and exploited their frustration. Waratahs had little to do to confirm the premiership but James Campbell did what was required, confidently and well. He and Frost's opening stand of 52 all but won the game by themselves. It was Waratahs second premiership in the top grade in three seasons.
Waratahs v Easts (Final) - 1st grade, 28th & 29th March 1987
In 5th grade, Waratahs won a nail biter against Centrals. The gun side all year, Waratahs young tyros had waltzed through the semis and their pace attack destroyed Centrals twice in the Final for them to romp to a nine wicket, outright victory. There were moments, however, when Centrals had them under the pump in their first innings and whilst Ben Campbell and Gavin Finlayson batted them to within reach of Centrals 72, it was an unheralded Richard Blake who top scored and gave them a decent first innings lead. In the end, bowlers dominated and Ian Campbell's mighty 5th got the Premiership their season had deserved.
Waratahs v Centrals (Final) - 5th grade, 28th & 29th March 1987
In 1992, the Bede Ryan led 3rd grade side gave Ex Services a 213 run flogging in the premiership decider. Ryan made a thrilling century, adding 146 with Ben Fisher for the second wicket before being runout. Graham Frost and Roger Roan profited from such a start, adding 120 for the 4th and Waratahs declared at stumps. Without the experienced Laurie McCann, it was a no contest on the Sunday, with wickets tumbling constantly. Norman Schwarz bagged the tail and a foregone conclusion sat squarely on the Fat Lady's lap as she belted out her last chorus.
Waratahs v Ex Services (Final) - 3rd grade, 28th & 29th March 1992
In 1998, after the disappointing end to Waratahs 1st grade career, the 3rds and 4ths covered themselves in glory, both winning premierships. Gavin Finlayson stared for the 3rds, as the backbone in the middle order and then Grant Harlow and Ian Ellis conceded only 53 from a combined 40 overs and ran through Churches inadequate batting response, with only two of the opposition making double figures.
Waratahs v Churches (Final) - 3rd grade, 28th & 29th March, 1998
Albert Hofkamp finally won a premiership when 4ths outlasted Hillgrove in a war of attrition. Hillgrove made only 112 from their allotted 85 overs, with the Waratahs bowling figures agonising in their frugality. Waratahs reply wasn't much faster - just two an over - but the job was done with 6 wickets in hand and it was fitting that the skipper hit the winning runs and lifted them to the victory after a mid innings wobble.
Waratahs v Hillgrove (Final) - 5th grade, 28th & 29th March 1998
SEMI FINALS
In 1969, good and bad results for the two Waratahs team in competition this season. After a bullish win/loss record of 8-3, unbeaten since Christmas and with three outrights in the last five games, Waratahs entered the semi-finals as minor premiers. Their opponents, Easts, had been the last side to beat them, winning outright despite being rolled for 44 in their first innings. Waratahs had been revolutionised by the addition of brute force in the guise of Brian Joice, who joined the A grade side after tormenting them with Churches. His half season yielded 40 wickets. Waratahs attack were all over Easts like a cheap suite and despite some minor recovery efforts by the tail, they never recovered from 3-17. By stumps, Lawrie had reversed Easts fortunes and after he crippled them at 3-10 and then Mark McCann removed Bill Thompson mid recovery, his late wicket of Terry Betts left Waratahs 5-47. Keith Sheffield stood firm until being last man out but Lawrie finished with eight wickets and another batting crash had done for Waratahs in a big game.
Waratahs v Easts (Semi) - A grade, 22nd & 29th March 1969
A-Res grade continued on their unbeaten season, in a high scoring semi-final. With five matches won outright by an innings, they were unbackable favourites for the premiership. Keith McIntyre and Brendon McGee continued their rich vein of form, adding a 166 opening stand and all of the top six made runs in a huge score. Since January, McIntyre's scores wrote legend into the record, with 38, 67, 101x, 52x, 82 and 90 in successive innings - form he would continue into the Final. Teachers total was greatly enhanced by Wilkin and Preen, who added 191 between them until Gary Holloway and Bob Brennan ran through the rest of the batting.
Waratahs v Teachers (Semi) - A-Res grade, 22nd & 29th March 1969
