ON THIS DAY - 28th October
Armidale Waratahs (The Tahs) | October 28, 2025
In 1978, PETER LANGSTON (#357) made his debut, playing for Ian Campbell's (#212) B grade side on the second week of their outright win against Uralla. Uralla had led by 65 on the first innings but after Mark Dell (#365) shot them out in their second innings, Langston led the second innings run chase. He had 11 completed seasons with the club, scoring 2,998 runs@27 (predominantly in the lower grades), taking 84 wickets and holding 60 catches. Only Graham Johnson (#207) and Alan Gray (#26) have batted in more century partnerships. He was club President for three years during the 1980's and since Waratahs playing days, has gathered the club's history and stats and been part of the revival to form The Tahs. He was awarded Life Membership in 2024.
Waratahs v Uralla - B grade, 21st & 28th October 1978
Uralla 158 (Mark O'Shea 4-18, Mark Dell 3-25) and 83 (Mark Dell 5-18) lost outright to Waratahs 93 (R Williams 30) and 5-159 (Peter Langston 49, Mark Dell 36x, Peter Handebo 26x, Ian Campbell 26)
In 1989, JOE BEER (#586) and CALLUM SUNNERS (#614) added 125 for the 2nd wicket for 5th grade against TAS. It was rear guard, second inings action after TAS made 351 on the first day and then skilted Waratahs before tea on the second. Beer made his highest score for Waratahs and his only hundred, with 103 not out.
Waratahs v TAS - 5th grade, 21st & 28th October 1989
TIM BINDLEY (#393) starred with the ball, taking 7-64 after starting with the new ball and bowling unchanged through Ex Serices innings as 3rd grade gained a handsome victory. Waratahs had made a good fist of their first innings with five batsmen contributing strongly and in their second they raced along a good clip before declaring in order to attempt the outright. Ex Services accepted the challenge and despite scoring at more than 7 an over, fell short.
Waratahs v Ex Services - 3rd grade, 21st & 28th October 1989
In 1995, it was Hofkamp Day in 5th grade. After chasing TAS leather early in their innings, ALBERT HOFKAMP (#476) pegged them back an ran through them taking a career best 7-50. By stumps, Waratahs were 0-90 in reply and then on the second day, son CARL HOFKAMP (#677) and DAVID REES (#744) flailed the TAS attack with an all grades record opening partnership of 252, Carl making a career best 147. Steve Gadd (#741) continued the pain for TAS with a quick half century before Hofkamp senior declared. TAS capitulated in twenty overs and Waratahs won outright. Bert picked up another three to give him 10-84 for the match, bowling almost unchanged with Steve Davis to destroy TAS.
Waratahs v TAS - 5th grade, 21st & 28th October 1995
In 2023, at a reunion dinner held at the Top Pub in Uralla, a gathering of former players decided to reform Waratahs as The Tahs, a non-playing entity which would seek to stay in contact and support each other and be inclusive of former opponents and any others who wished to join. Apart form the support and maintenance of friendships, it was also determined that the club would seek to sponsor an Armidale junior cricketer each year through a scholarship fund which became known as the Ian Campbell Scholarship. Much has happened in the intervening years under the leadership of "Father" Andrew Davis (#354), a title which pays homage to two of our greatest club members, Graham Johnson (#207) and Alan Gray (#26). Along with Committee members, Michael Connolly (#293), Steve Hadfield (#524), Simon Joyce (#512), James Campbell (#382) and Peter Langston (#357), the Tahs now has in excess of seventy members, many of who are former players but numbers amongst them opponents, wifes, girlfriends and family members. Our first ICS winner, Brooke Moran (#894) has completed a training session at Manly Warringah Cricket Club - The Waratahs - and has been accepted into their pathways program. This is substantial progress for The Tahs in just two years.
