ON THIS DAY - 3rd April

Armidale Waratahs (The Tahs) | April 03, 2024

In 1971, having not played Ex Services once during regular season play, with their only scheduled encounter completely washed out, the Final proved to be heartbreak again for A grade. On the first Saturday, it was the familiar story of Waratahs batting failing in big games , as Ex Services Rene Mullen tore through the top six. Greg Russell, finally elevated to a consistent role in the top grade after years of heavy run scoring as a junior in the Reserves, was the best of the batsmen by dint of being prepared to play shots. Some late resistance from John Donnelly helped the defensively reliable John Roberts take Waratahs to at least a total their bowlers could use. On the second Saturday, Miller and Blair got Ex Services away to a characteristically solid start, adding 52 and seeing off the opening attack before Connolly broke through. Joice and Cooke, were immediately returned and with a second wind summoned from some deep place, made inroads into the competition's strongest batting line up, seven wickets falling for the next 51 runs. It was former 'tahs keeper Ray Rose who stole the Final, with a well composed innings which shielded Ryan as they added 39 and raised the victory by 7 wickets. Joice bowled 23 overs in his 5-44 and Cooke 21 in 2-29, whilst Graham Johnson held three sharp chances at slip and Betts grabbed three dismissals behind the stumps. It was another one which got away from Waratahs, having lost five Finals in the previous six seasons ... four of them to Ex Services.