ON THIS DAY - 31st March
Armidale Waratahs (The Tahs) | March 31, 2024
In 1962, the two Waratahs teams had mixed fates. A grade lost their semi-final after University's batsmen put on a solid display, always managing to launch innings rescues just when Waratahs looked to be gaining the ascendency. The turning point came at 6-136, when Gill and Meyers came together and saw out the first safely with an unbroken 76 runs until stumps. Mackenzie and Smith wrapped things up quickly on the second day but the damage was done. Hussey and Duloy swept the top order aside and at 4-10 and then 8-84, the batting was a disaster. Mackenzie and Smith restored home to the side, adding 77 for the 9th wicket but the long shot hope of survival, egged on by an approaching storm, ended when Mackenzie was lbw. His 50 was his highest career score for Waratahs.
Waratahs v University (Semi) - A grade, 24th & 31st March 1962
It was a different story in B grade, where Waratahs were content to bat out the second day and qualify for the Final with a draw. Dumaresq had batted well on the first day, with seven of their top eight making starts and a competitive total posted. The second day started with a clatter of early wickets but Hooper and McClenaghan arrested the slide and then Barrett refused to budge, keeping things intact until the storm came just after tea and secured the draw.
Waratahs v Dumaresq (Semi) - B grade, 24th & 31st March 1962
