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ON THIS DAY - 27th September

Armidale Waratahs (The Tahs) | September 28, 2025

In 1957, ERIC SMITH (#82) wrote himself onto the list of great match performances in the opening game of the season for A grade v dela Salle College. After taking 6-80 in DLSC innings, he made 76 not out by stumps. Opening the batting with Alan Gray (#26), the pair put on 98 before Gray was the start of a hat trick to Mark McCann and seven wicket falling for less than 50. On the second day, McCann cleaned up the tail quickly, taking 7-48. Smith took another 4 wickets in DLSC second innings to give him ten for the match.

Waratahs v DLSC - A grade, 21st & 28th September 1957


In 1963, RAY REEVES (#143) and DICK RUSSELL (#132) had different fortunes. Reeves bagged a pair as A grade were crushed by University, batting with only nine men in the second innings. Alan Gray (#26) was the only batsman to make double figures in both innings.

Waratahs v University - A grade, 21st & 28th September 1963

Better news for Russell, who was the irresistible force that secured a 9 wicket outright win for B grade against Churches. After 8-29 on the opening day, he followed up with 4-28 and 33 with the bat in Waratahs first innings, after opener Stuart Stanley (#104) had stroked a fine 75.

Waratahs v Churches - B grade, 21st & 28th September 1963

Churches 71 (Dick Russell 8-29) and 147 (R Steele 50. Dick Russell 4-28, Greg Russell 3-34) lost outright to Waratahs 187 (Stuart Stanley 75, Dick Russell 33) and 1-35

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About Me

Armidale Waratahs (The Tahs)

Founder
Waratahs CC of Armidale; The Tahs Inc
www.thetahs.com.au
Armidale, Australia
0438028917
The history of a proud club which grew men from boys through the simple act of trusting them with something very precious.

Favourite players: Life members: Alan Gray, Harry Deiderick, Graham Johnson, Ian Campbell, Syd Philp, Graham Patterson, Albert Hofkamp & Peter Langston.

Favourite grounds: Wicklow Oval (Rologas Fields), Harris Park, West Armidale Park (Lambert Park), The Armidale Sportsground

All-time cricket hero: Any bloke in the Royal Blue cap.

Favourite bat: The one that scored the most.

Most memorable moment in cricket:
1952-53 A grade Final, beating Easts 2 outright after our worst A/1st grade total in the sixty year history of the club. Beat the very strong Uralla in the last round to just scrape into the semis and then Easts 1 in the Semi. Played one player short on the first day after a mix up with team sheets and made 163 in the sunshine, Ross Ridley 59. Easts 0-57 at stumps after four dropped catches. Didn't play the second day for two weeks because of the Armidale Show and then after four days of heavy rain. Wicket now a sticky and impossible to bat on. Easts all out for 95, Don Paul 6-24. Batting a second time, Waratahs still one short and Ridley now out injured, all out for 21. Easts needing 90 don't make it to halfway, all out for 43, Don Paul 7-20. Waratahs win their first premiership in only their third season.

What’s the best cricket advice you’ve ever received:
Join the new Waratahs! The Tahs memberships available by contacting https://forms.gle/oY26v79kETLzYxqH7