ON THIS DAY - 25th September
Armidale Waratahs (The Tahs) | September 25, 2025
In 1954, DOUG JOHNSTONE (#47) held 3 catches in an innings during a lacklustre performance by A grade against Wests, which Waratahs lost by 150 runs. Waratahs innings of 60 contained only two players who made double figures.
Waratahs v Wests - A grade, 25th September & 2nd October 1954.
In 1965, thanks to a DICK CHISHOLM (#141) century, A-Res grade chased down University's competitive 252, winning by 17 runs on the second day. Chisholm made 104, batting at six and swung the match with BRIAN BARRETT (#117) who made a career best 48 during a grade record sixth wicket partnership of 136. It was the first of two centuries Chisholm would score in his most prolific season with Waratahs. The second came just three weeks later.
Waratahs v University - A-Res grade, 18th & 25th September 1965
University 252 (R Walker 62. Col Marshall 3-62) lost to Waratahs 269 (Dick Chisholm 104, Brian Barrett 48)
In 1976, GRAHAM FROST (#333) made 26 on debut for B grade v Centrals in a one day game. It was the first game in an 18 year career for Waratahs, which although spanning every grade, was dominated by his outstanding performances in A/1st grade.
Originally a middle order player, he soon became a regular opener in the top grade, his batting marked by his elegance and grace. Frosty is the 5th highest run scorer overall for Waratahs (4,781 runs) and also the 5th highest in 1sts (2,974). He made 5 hundreds for the club and famously 6 scores in the 90's. He batted in 10 century partnership (two each with the Rogers - Sattler and Roan), including the highest partnership ever recorded for Waratahs, 293 unbeaten with Tim Muldoon (#296) for the 2nd wicket v Hillgrove. He is one of only three batsmen to score more than 150 twice. He six times won end of season batting trophies.
Frosty had safe hands in the outfield but was a very reluctant wicketkeeper, only taking the gloves when there was no one else. Despite that, he twice held 5 catches in an innings behind the stumps. His 131 catches for the club trail only Albert Hofkamp (#476), Alan Gray (#26) and Terry Betts (#205).
The organiser of the reunion dinner which led to the formation of The Tahs Inc in 2023, he has always been a clubman first. Its no surprise that when more than seventy ex Waratahs players voted in 2010 for the best Waratahs side ever, he was included.
