Armidale has always been prominent, from a cricketing point of view, and for a town of its size has taken a leading position.
1. In the early days, as back as the fifties, several of the pioneers were cricket enthusiasts, notably the Marsh family of Salisbury Court and the Taylors of Terrible Vale. These stations each had a cricket team and matches between these country teams and the town team were frequent, and in later years these contests still went on. Salisbury Court and Terrible Vale were the first to use the matting wicket, which was the means of materially improving the game, as good cricket was impossible on the old chipped, bumpy wicket which did duty before the introduction of the mat.
2. Some time after the gold discovery at Bakers Creek Gold Mine in 1887, Hillgrove took an active part in cricket, and Mr George Smith offered a valuable cup, to be played for between teams in Armidale, Hillgrove, Uralla and country teams. This competition, which was extended over 3 years, was the means of giving the game a fillip, and ultimately the Armidale team won the Cup, which was presented to the club at Hillgrove, at a dance given by Mr Smith and the Hillgrove cricketers.
From The Jubilee Souvenir of the Municipality of Armidale 1863-1913 (p.64)
• The Armidale Cricketers Association was formally birthed on the 1-Sep-1899. The first competition was organised in two divisions:
1. Town: Armidale, Orientals, Hillgrove, Dumaresq, Uralla, T.A.S., West End
2. Country: Black Mountain, Ollera, Guyra, Wandsworth, Booralong
For 1911-12 the Junior Competition included a Hillgrove side. As well as sides from Brick Villa, De La Salle College and T.A.S.
• In the 1947-48 midsummer competition, additional teams were entered by Armidale Timber Co. And Hillgrove.
(Association Records)
