ON THIS DAY - 11th April
Armidale Waratahs (The Tahs) | April 11, 2024
In 1953, a definitive moment in Waratahs history, when the first premiership was won. Against all odds, including form, weather, experience, A grade beat the second of two Easts teams in the Final. Having to beat heavyweights Uralla in the last round to qualify in four spot for the semis and then having to beat the minor premiers once they got there, the hurdles didn't stop there. They lost star allrounder Laurie Cooper an hour before play on the first Saturday but as skipper Fred Skillicorn wasn't told until after the toss, Waratahs had to play one short. Batting first, Waratahs made a moderate total, bolstered by the in form Ross Ridley in the middle order but his run out, was one of three which hampered the chance of a bigger total. Easts were 0-59, mainly thanks to four easy chances going down and worse still, Ridley had broken a finger which would put him out of the second day. There was a two week delay before the second day because of the Armidale Show and it poured with rain from Wednesday on, clearing on the Saturday morning. The uncovered Sportsground wicket was a drying gluepot bathed in sunshine by the time play started and Don Paul (pictured) wreaked havoc, Easts losing losing 10-36. Waratahs faired little better in their second innings, out for their lowest ever A grade score. Easts, requiring 90 for the outright, didn't even make it halfway on a wicket that was by now, completely unplayable. Paul, bowling his slow medium pace cutters, made the ball jump and skid, hold up and shoot through, all from the same spots and took another seven second innings wickets giving him 13-44 for the afternoon. Thirty wickets fell for just 100 runs on the second day and Waratahs had their first premiership. It would be 19 years until their second A grade title.
Waratahs v East-II (Final) - A grade, 28th March & 11th April 1953
In 1970, A grade were thrashed by Ex Services, losing the Final by 284 runs. The game was over by tea on the first Saturday as Ian McLean and Rene Mullen tore their batting to shreds and Ex Services openers passed Waratahs by themselves. Ex Services batted on and on into and for most of the second day. Again it was McLean who led the way and then, the as always sedate Browning, who despite batting low in the order, still made a telling contribution. Terry Betts picked up three dismissals, including the only time he took two stumpings in an innings but the Waratahs bowling was ineffective and the Ex Services tail wagged and wagged.
Waratahs v Ex Services (Final) - A grade, 4th & 11th April 1970
A-Res grade won their Final, dominating Hillgrove from the outset. 153 run 3rd wicket stand between Keith McIntyre and Greg Russell decided the issue, with McIntyre again out of luck when it came to converting scores to hundreds. John Russell was again star with the ball in one of several Finals in which his bowling helped decide the event. Waratahs were worthy minor and major premiers, going through the season undefeated and winning each of their crucial last three games by kore than a hundred.
Waratahs v Hillgrove (Final) - A-Res grade, 4th & 11th April 1970
