ON THIS DAY - 16th April
Armidale Waratahs (The Tahs) | April 16, 2024
In 1966, Waratahs eventually lost to Ex Services in the longest Final ever played by a Waratahs side. Lasting over three weeks and remembering that Finals in those days were played over two Saturdays a week apart, A-Res grade refused to go down easily after Ex Services posted a mammoth total on the first day and Waratahs two night watchmen faced the one maiden over. On the second day, after losing both nightwatchmen to Jim Melville, Waratahs dug in and reached 7-216. Principal among the defenders was the resolute Ray McIntyre, who remained 61 not out at stumps after two time-long partnerships with Keith McIntyre and J McCann. McCann's departure triggered a mid innings collapse of 4-36 but then Keith Dawson took up the fight and stayed until stumps. Ex Services tried eight bowlers. On the third Saturday, the run out of McIntyre in the first over sealed Waratahs fate and then Melville (5-46) finished things off in successive balls in the next.
Waratahs v Ex Services (Final) - A-Res grade, 26th March, 2nd & 16th April 1966
