ON THIS DAY - 29th September
Armidale Waratahs (The Tahs) | September 29, 2025
In 1956, JOHN RUSSELL (#89) made his debut for Waratahs. Playing in B grade's resounding win against Unicorns, it was a very quiet start to what was to become a long career with Waratahs. He won multiple Premierships in the lower grades, where he lobbed balls up to the moon and back and bamboozled batsmen. It might have looked juicy but many failed the test of using their feet and his 371 wickets sit him on the all time wicket taking list behind only Brian Joice and Tom Cooke. The majority of his wickets were captured in A-Res grade, where his 257 scalps are far and away the best. He won two Finals with the ball, both against Hillgrove and twice won the Beau Richardson trophy for best performance of the season. His batting was modest, with a lone fifty and 179 innings to make 1,299 runs. After taking 10-69 in the A-Res grade Premiership decider in 1973, John then turned out next season to help develop future players for the club in B grade. One of the best clubmen to wear the Royal Baggy Blue.
In the same game JR made his debut, GEOFF WHITTON (#85) carried his bat, making 56 not out of Waratahs 204.
Waratahs v Acorns - B grade, 29th September 1956
In 1973, in a rare A grade appearance, wicketkeeper Cliff Schaefer held 3 catches and made a stumping off newly promoted fast bowler David Lynch (6-29) in the one day game against Wright College. In the Wright team was a youngster by the name of Tony Bennett!
