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ON THIS DAY - 1st October

Armidale Waratahs (The Tahs) | October 01, 2025

In 1966, BILL THOMPSON (#185), opened the batting for A grade and tore the exceptionally strong Ex Services bowling attack apart, while wicket fell around him. Despite adding 87 with his opening partner Alan Gray (#26), the top order crumbled, with only Allan Smith (#124) providing any resistance with a partnership of 44 for the 4th wicket. When Thompson hit a return catch to the bowler to end the partnership with Smith, Waratahs crumbled from 3-162, losing 7-43. Most of them came from the free hitting Tom Cooke (#197). Ex Services then batted them out of the game on the second day despite Peter Rigg's 5-53. Thompson's heroic batting came after an opening day of the season 99 in the previous game. He would have 300 runs before Christmas.

Waratahs v Ex Services - A grade, 1st & 8th October 1966

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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

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