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ON THIS DAY - 13th December

Armidale Waratahs (The Tahs) | December 13, 2025

One of the most prolific batting days in Waratahs history, with five centuries (four of them on the one day in 1980), five century partnerships and 3 grade record partnerships.


In 1952, ROSS RIDLEY (#8) grabbed 3 stumpings in Easts 2nd innings against A grade. The stumpings were all off S Dasey (#40) who took a pfeiffer. A catch gave Ridley 4 dismissals for the innings.

Waratahs v East-1 - A grade, 6th & 13th December 1952


In 1980, MICHAEL CONNOLLY (#293) made 140 not out, his first grade hundred, as A Grade punished St Peters on a flat Lambert Park wicket. In the process, he shared two consecutive hundred run partnerships, adding 111 with GRAHAM FROST (#333) for the 4th wicket and 114 with BRIAN MAIR (#307) for the 5th.

Waratahs v St Peters - A grade, 13th & 20th December 1980

In A-Res grade, ALAN GRAY (#26) and BRIAN JOICE (#218) both made hundreds against Uralla, sharing a partnership of 122 for the 2nd wicket. Waratahs at one stage were 1-194.

Waratahs v Uralla - A-Res Grade, 13th & 20th December 1980

GREG JOHNSON (#352) made it four hundreds for the day when he made his only Waratahs hundred, 107 not out for B grade v TAS. He added 110 with MATT CAMPBELL (#363) for the 3rd wicket and a grade record 121 unbeaten for the 6th wicket with IAN CAMPBELL (#212).

Waratahs v TAS - B grade, 13th & 20th December 1980


In 1986, JEREMY ROACH (#521) and GAVIN FINLAYSON (#516) added a grade record 93 for the 5th wicket as 5th grade recovered from 4-16 to finished 20 runs short of Uralla in a one day game.

Waratahs v Uralla - 5th grade, 13th December 1986


In 1997, JASON FITTLER (#564) made the last Waratahs 1st grade hundred, 122 v Uralla. It was the only win of the season for Waratahs. At the death of the innings, BRIAN BETTS (#764) and MATT GRIFFITHS (#717) set the highest 10th wicket partnership in 1st grade. Uralla chased hard on the second day, aided by a century from former NSW Shield player, Ron Crippin - one of three victims for Fittler.

Waratahs v Uralla - 13th & 20th December 1997

Wicketkeeper DAVID DUNLOP (#757) held 3 catches for 3rd grade as they beat Uni Vets by 6 wickets in a one day game, with David Norman (#407) making 40 not out in the small run chase.

Waratahs v Uni Vets - 3rd grade, 13th December



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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