Garry Holloway (216) Debuted 1968/89
- anyone remember the social double wicket comps at Chiswick ? Great days. Start with a few drinks ... followed by a few more ... lunch with a few drinks ... a great day of cricket in between! I remember one particular match when Alan Gray was attempting to take a catch in the outfield and he fell over a fence. He didn’t get hurt. Lucky he didn’t because the rest of us were in stitches
- John Russell (right arm slow spinner who played for Waratahs for years) - one of our guys reckoned he once defied the laws of gravity because he bowled so slowly you could read the maker’s name and weight on the pill ! I think a young Davo made the comment.
- remember Russell Francis bowling at Consett Davis ?
Bob Barwick (234) Debuted 1970-71
I was appointed to the Maths Department of Armidale High School, in 1970 (where I was a colleague of Bill Thompson, a very talented batsman for Waratahs during the 60’s and early 70’s) and I decided to join Waratahs Cricket Club for the 1970-71 season where I remained till the end of my career, at the start of the 1992-93 season. At this stage, in my mid 50’s, I decided to hang up my boots. My decision was made, largely, on an age, ligament, muscle and bone damage basis but was also influenced by the situation in that last match. My memory fades about finer details of this match (such as opponents, runs scored and winners) but I do recall that it was played at Lynches Road and we spent all the first Saturday in the field chasing leather (a difficult task for 50+ year olds). The batsmen obviously picked me out and I was offered something like 5 chances in the field. Two or three of them I took but one of the chances I over-ran, pulled up suddenly and damaged both my, already, dodgy knees (and dropped the catch). As I had been a regular opener for the team and fully expected to be called upon to again perform that task the next Saturday in the run chase, I spent most of the week at the physiotherapist paying bills and getting my knees back in working order. Having done that, on arrival at the ground I was informed by the captain (who shall remain nameless) that he would be opening with his cousin (who had not been a regular team member). My recollection is that I batted at number 8 and that could well be what prevented me scoring my first century for Waratahs.
Despite this small hiccough, however, I enjoyed my years playing with Waratahs. I was never in the top grade as a cricketer but I did enjoy the competition, the camaraderie and the social interaction. I particularly enjoyed the opportunity to play a few games with my son, Adam, when he commenced playing senior cricket. I had a few moments, which kept me coming back each week, namely a hat trick on the racecourse, a best bowling performance of 7 – 30 against Easts at Harris Park and a highest score of 81 against Uni Vets also at Harris Park. My most successful year was probably 1981 – 82 (batting average 41.3, bowling average 15.2) the year I played with the Waratahs Veterans Reserve Grade team - a group of very talented players who were past their best and heaven forbid, on their way down but this group allowed me to bat and bowl in a more comfortable situation.
Michael Connolly (293) Debuted 1974/75
• Doon (Tim Muldoon) and I started playing B grade. They were hard years performance wise but good fun. Harry Deiderick kept us going with his contents of his glove box of his old white falcon ute. I think I had an average of about 3 for my first season
• B Grade GF. We played Hillgrove in the final at Harris Park. We played on mats etc all season but for some stupid reason they put us on turf for the final. The scores were about 68 to 69 in the first innings and about the same in the second with them winning a great low scoring game
• I had to make my A Grade debut against Unicorns in the last game of the season. I batted right down at 9 ish. Smooth (Brian Connolly) batted for 35x for a long time(won the performance of the year I think). I had to face a few overs. We needed a draw and they needed to win. Facts may not be right, but me and the old man survived.
• A Grade Winners when Roger Sattler the Traitor left to Easts so we paid him back by beating him in the final!!!!!! I still remember Frosty (Graham Frost) catching Rick Porter down at fine leg off AJ (Andrew McNeil). We knew it was in the bag. Bit lucky with the toss that year but we’ll still take it. I got 6 fa
• A Grade Losers when we got done by the twisted team Centrals and I can still remember me, head in the silver bucket, at the back of Tatts. Did Tony Bennett take me home? I can’t remember. I’ll ask Nancy
• I walked around to an A Grade game at the Sportground, from O’Connor (B Grade) to get a lift from Smooth. He didn’t appear to be there. I put my bag in the wrong car, got called onto the field by Guiley (Graham Johnson). Nearly ran out in front of a greyhound race!!!!! Just stopped in time. Got told Dad got smacked in the face and was at hospital and to go to 3rd slip. First bowl from Jack Trestrail was snicked by an Easts player and I actually caught it!!!!!!!!!
• At Hillgrove, Guiley was cracking the ball after his tour of India with Collegians, I was batting with him. He’s hit the sweetest pull shot ever straight into Hollabrandse’s head and he was caught and bowled probably by the mighty TB Butler.
• Gee-Tahs Gig. My one and only gig as a guitarist, was made to look very good by some real musicians, great night that one at the Wicklow club rooms. I think I knew about 3 guitar chords
• The Chiswick Days. Mike Henderson winning the catching competition one year which was a highlight. He really wanted to win with the crocodile catching style
• Bruce Mathieson hit a ball into one of the trees and killed a bird training at Newling. Tim Bindley cross batting every shot trying the land the ball on the road. All the oldies would say “he should bat here like he does in the game”, but he was !
• Geoff Wood returning from First grade in Sydney only to meet Klink (Steve Reading) at Uralla on coir matting. Gave him a number of bruises and didn’t make him happy.
• playing against StPeters one day at Lambert. I was going all right and got to about 60 odd when I started going stupid, trying to cart every ball. Bede (Ryan) came up to me (he was playing for StPeters) and said “wake up and be sensible, you’ll get a ton here.” I did (thanks Bede !)
Graham Frost (333) Debuted 1976/77
· beating Satts (Roger Sattler) in his first grand final with his new daffodil club
· 2nd wicket partnership with Timmy (Muldoon) against the Grove when we were 1 for 1 and ended up 1 for 299 at the end of day. Doon made the record first grade score that day
· same game I think, Doon was hit in the nuts at first slip going for a DOLLY (got nowhere near his hands)
· catching Rick Porter at backward square off Angry (Andrew McNeill) for around 20 in the Grand final
· dropping Victor Crew off Angry in a rep final. Angry had been bowling really fast and accurate to Victor who was smacking him around the park. He snicked one outside the off stump and I dropped a sitter. I commented that I didn't mean to drop the &*%$@! thing, and the Angry Man was as you could imagine, a bit anoyed and said, “I didn’t mean to bowl the ball there so he could snick it!!”
Tony Bennett (355) Debuted 1978-79
Long ago when the cricket gods walked the earth and text messages were letters sent through the post, there was a cricket club that managed to field five sides in a four grade competition.
Now this club had it's antecedents in an era before air travel, before 'The Don' but after 'The Doctor' (Grace that is not Who, as we know Who was quite a cricketer but has always been and will be again).
The aforesaid five teams played in an era when moisture fell from the sky and was called rain, a time when rebellious cricketers returned to the national fold, and a time when the close of play brought camaraderie and much talk (tall) of feats of old.
On one particular Saturday the heavens opened up at about 2pm. All teams of the Club Waratahs were in delicate positions and the God's smiled on their chosen tribes, preferring to drown tribal members in their replenishing tears rather than have them depart the field defeated. As was the custom members of the tribe/club retired to the establishment of long refreshment where similarly white clad members of another tribal past-time were also gathered. This latter group were generally somewhat the elders of the tribe and had replaced the practice of overarm projecting of the ball with underarm, curvature patterns designed to stop near a smaller resting white ball rather than three vertical pieces of wood.
Both tribes collected in the hall of tall tales and long drinks and wonders were beheld. An elder of the tribe Waratahs, respectively referred to as Campbell (Ian Campbell), recounted his strange dreamings of the previous week: in these dreamings he foresaw boatloads of non-cricketers arriving on our shores and was terribly shaken. 'They will take us away in cattle trucks' he muttered as he sought solace in the magic of the amber glass.
So taken aback was fellow tribesman Allan (Warren Allen) - he who passed on the secrets of construction and design to forthcoming generations - that he, Allan, secreted himself behind the machines that took in coinage. He would then suddenly emerge and startle any passerby with the cry "they are coming to take us away.
Meanwhile a tribesman called 'Araldite' (Tony Bennett) tried passionately to divert people's fears by standing on the small round tables and letting forth with arias and passages from well known, and some not so well known, musical numbers of the past century.
Such was the volume of this diversionary tactic that the chief tribesman (cue 'Along Came Jones') presented himself and delivered an edict that such rousing was to cease at once. Jones' pronouncement was met with boos from both white clad tribes and he retreated defeated.
Meanwhile messengers had reached the women folk of the cricketing tribesman and and told them of the circumstance. Some put on their war paint and and joined the spree while others sent back stern warnings of the foolishness of such behaviour.
This tale has gone down in lore.
Peter Langston (357) Debuted 1978-79
· taking new yearbooks up to Joicey (Brian Joice)
· watching Bennett (Tony) step on the square leg umps feet and clip Neil Johnno over the slips
· first game as captain of 3rd grade in October ‘84 with a team that had as many pubic hairs as the front row of a Hanson concert, plus Harry (Deiderich) and Radar (Doug Menzies). All out for 25 - a club record. One of the two most enjoyable seasons I had with the ‘tahs even though we lost every game except one which Harry batted out six overs for a draw against Hillgrove. Terrific bunch of young blokes
· scored a ninety in the 2nd grade Semi against Uralla (Barnie and Whackett). Can’t think of another time I batted better under pressure. When I die, I want it to be that afternoon again
· Bobbie Hughes on the ‘goanna’ did the best version of Dylan’s Leopard Skin Pill Box Hat possible at Ayjay’s (Tony Bennett) place one night. Bob could play
· at Harris Park against the Daffodils. Joicey disappears from the ground with a nod to the Skipper. An hour later, we are in strife with Rick Porter smashing the cover off the ball. Joicey returns, walks on and takes the ball to bowl. Desert Head is on the field in a flash, pointing out to the ump that Joicey can’t bowl for another hour. Our man drops the ball and starts showing the bulge in his wallet to team mates - Shakes Mullen (Rene Mullen) in particular - as he walks to slip. With the who-ha finished, we settle down for a resumption. First ball, Rick snicks to Joicey who holds a blinder. He holds it up and shouts to the boundary and Mick, “all right if I field here?”
· sitting with Davo (Andrew Davis) and others on the tray of Frosty’s (Graham Frost) ute with an ever diminishing supply of grog, watching Firsts flog Easts in the Final at the Sportsground (1986-87). Conno (Mike Connolly) took 6-fa
· Davo leading us in “Father Abraham” at barbie’s
· lots of tales about training at Newling nets. Made the mistake of calling the Angry Man (Andrew McNeill) by the nickname “Rattler” and wore the result. For an over or two, that afternoon, he was equal to the fastest I ever faced and it was the only time I was scared with a bat in my hand... despite what Wes used to think !Craybob Crew (Victor Crew) was having a slog one afternoon, in that way only he could. After clouting Wesley Winston (Wes Davis) into the middle of Newling Oval a couple of times, Wes asked him, “where’s your horse cowboy?” Crewy smiled and replied, “out there with your ball mate!” Rhodesy (Brian Rhodes) being asked questions by our young 5th graders. “You’re a pretty big bloke Mr Rhodes. How do you go when you have to run two threes in a row?” Says Rhodesy, “Best way to run two threes son, is to hit a six!”
· Dozer (Tim Muldoon) and Frosty getting pissed at Klink’s (Steve Reading) on their debut night on the grog and being delivered home early doors, with inter-district on the next day. Klink and Wally (Roger Sattler) were main culprits
· Jimmy Campbell ... write your own highlight!
Roger Sattler (378) Debuted 1979/80
Despite this small hiccough, however, I enjoyed my years playing with Waratahs. I was never in the top grade as a cricketer but I did enjoy the competition, the camaraderie and the social interaction. I particularly enjoyed the opportunity to play a few games with my son, Adam, when he commenced playing senior cricket. I had a few moments, which kept me coming back each week, namely a hat trick on the racecourse, a best bowling performance of 7 – 30 against Easts at Harris Park and a highest score of 81 against Uni Vets also at Harris Park. My most successful year was probably 1981 – 82 (batting average 41.3, bowling average 15.2) the year I played with the Waratahs Veterans Reserve Grade team - a group of very talented players who were past their best and heaven forbid, on their way down but this group allowed me to bat and bowl in a more comfortable situation.
Michael Connolly (293) Debuted 1974/75
• Doon (Tim Muldoon) and I started playing B grade. They were hard years performance wise but good fun. Harry Deiderick kept us going with his contents of his glove box of his old white falcon ute. I think I had an average of about 3 for my first season
• B Grade GF. We played Hillgrove in the final at Harris Park. We played on mats etc all season but for some stupid reason they put us on turf for the final. The scores were about 68 to 69 in the first innings and about the same in the second with them winning a great low scoring game
• I had to make my A Grade debut against Unicorns in the last game of the season. I batted right down at 9 ish. Smooth (Brian Connolly) batted for 35x for a long time(won the performance of the year I think). I had to face a few overs. We needed a draw and they needed to win. Facts may not be right, but me and the old man survived.
• A Grade Winners when Roger Sattler the Traitor left to Easts so we paid him back by beating him in the final!!!!!! I still remember Frosty (Graham Frost) catching Rick Porter down at fine leg off AJ (Andrew McNeil). We knew it was in the bag. Bit lucky with the toss that year but we’ll still take it. I got 6 fa
• A Grade Losers when we got done by the twisted team Centrals and I can still remember me, head in the silver bucket, at the back of Tatts. Did Tony Bennett take me home? I can’t remember. I’ll ask Nancy
• I walked around to an A Grade game at the Sportground, from O’Connor (B Grade) to get a lift from Smooth. He didn’t appear to be there. I put my bag in the wrong car, got called onto the field by Guiley (Graham Johnson). Nearly ran out in front of a greyhound race!!!!! Just stopped in time. Got told Dad got smacked in the face and was at hospital and to go to 3rd slip. First bowl from Jack Trestrail was snicked by an Easts player and I actually caught it!!!!!!!!!
• At Hillgrove, Guiley was cracking the ball after his tour of India with Collegians, I was batting with him. He’s hit the sweetest pull shot ever straight into Hollabrandse’s head and he was caught and bowled probably by the mighty TB Butler.
• Gee-Tahs Gig. My one and only gig as a guitarist, was made to look very good by some real musicians, great night that one at the Wicklow club rooms. I think I knew about 3 guitar chords
• The Chiswick Days. Mike Henderson winning the catching competition one year which was a highlight. He really wanted to win with the crocodile catching style
• Bruce Mathieson hit a ball into one of the trees and killed a bird training at Newling. Tim Bindley cross batting every shot trying the land the ball on the road. All the oldies would say “he should bat here like he does in the game”, but he was !
• Geoff Wood returning from First grade in Sydney only to meet Klink (Steve Reading) at Uralla on coir matting. Gave him a number of bruises and didn’t make him happy.
• playing against StPeters one day at Lambert. I was going all right and got to about 60 odd when I started going stupid, trying to cart every ball. Bede (Ryan) came up to me (he was playing for StPeters) and said “wake up and be sensible, you’ll get a ton here.” I did (thanks Bede !)
Graham Frost (333) Debuted 1976/77
· beating Satts (Roger Sattler) in his first grand final with his new daffodil club
· 2nd wicket partnership with Timmy (Muldoon) against the Grove when we were 1 for 1 and ended up 1 for 299 at the end of day. Doon made the record first grade score that day
· same game I think, Doon was hit in the nuts at first slip going for a DOLLY (got nowhere near his hands)
· catching Rick Porter at backward square off Angry (Andrew McNeill) for around 20 in the Grand final
· dropping Victor Crew off Angry in a rep final. Angry had been bowling really fast and accurate to Victor who was smacking him around the park. He snicked one outside the off stump and I dropped a sitter. I commented that I didn't mean to drop the &*%$@! thing, and the Angry Man was as you could imagine, a bit anoyed and said, “I didn’t mean to bowl the ball there so he could snick it!!”
Tony Bennett (355) Debuted 1978-79
Long ago when the cricket gods walked the earth and text messages were letters sent through the post, there was a cricket club that managed to field five sides in a four grade competition.
Now this club had it's antecedents in an era before air travel, before 'The Don' but after 'The Doctor' (Grace that is not Who, as we know Who was quite a cricketer but has always been and will be again).
The aforesaid five teams played in an era when moisture fell from the sky and was called rain, a time when rebellious cricketers returned to the national fold, and a time when the close of play brought camaraderie and much talk (tall) of feats of old.
On one particular Saturday the heavens opened up at about 2pm. All teams of the Club Waratahs were in delicate positions and the God's smiled on their chosen tribes, preferring to drown tribal members in their replenishing tears rather than have them depart the field defeated. As was the custom members of the tribe/club retired to the establishment of long refreshment where similarly white clad members of another tribal past-time were also gathered. This latter group were generally somewhat the elders of the tribe and had replaced the practice of overarm projecting of the ball with underarm, curvature patterns designed to stop near a smaller resting white ball rather than three vertical pieces of wood.
Both tribes collected in the hall of tall tales and long drinks and wonders were beheld. An elder of the tribe Waratahs, respectively referred to as Campbell (Ian Campbell), recounted his strange dreamings of the previous week: in these dreamings he foresaw boatloads of non-cricketers arriving on our shores and was terribly shaken. 'They will take us away in cattle trucks' he muttered as he sought solace in the magic of the amber glass.
So taken aback was fellow tribesman Allan (Warren Allen) - he who passed on the secrets of construction and design to forthcoming generations - that he, Allan, secreted himself behind the machines that took in coinage. He would then suddenly emerge and startle any passerby with the cry "they are coming to take us away.
Meanwhile a tribesman called 'Araldite' (Tony Bennett) tried passionately to divert people's fears by standing on the small round tables and letting forth with arias and passages from well known, and some not so well known, musical numbers of the past century.
Such was the volume of this diversionary tactic that the chief tribesman (cue 'Along Came Jones') presented himself and delivered an edict that such rousing was to cease at once. Jones' pronouncement was met with boos from both white clad tribes and he retreated defeated.
Meanwhile messengers had reached the women folk of the cricketing tribesman and and told them of the circumstance. Some put on their war paint and and joined the spree while others sent back stern warnings of the foolishness of such behaviour.
This tale has gone down in lore.
Peter Langston (357) Debuted 1978-79
· taking new yearbooks up to Joicey (Brian Joice)
· watching Bennett (Tony) step on the square leg umps feet and clip Neil Johnno over the slips
· first game as captain of 3rd grade in October ‘84 with a team that had as many pubic hairs as the front row of a Hanson concert, plus Harry (Deiderich) and Radar (Doug Menzies). All out for 25 - a club record. One of the two most enjoyable seasons I had with the ‘tahs even though we lost every game except one which Harry batted out six overs for a draw against Hillgrove. Terrific bunch of young blokes
· scored a ninety in the 2nd grade Semi against Uralla (Barnie and Whackett). Can’t think of another time I batted better under pressure. When I die, I want it to be that afternoon again
· Bobbie Hughes on the ‘goanna’ did the best version of Dylan’s Leopard Skin Pill Box Hat possible at Ayjay’s (Tony Bennett) place one night. Bob could play
· at Harris Park against the Daffodils. Joicey disappears from the ground with a nod to the Skipper. An hour later, we are in strife with Rick Porter smashing the cover off the ball. Joicey returns, walks on and takes the ball to bowl. Desert Head is on the field in a flash, pointing out to the ump that Joicey can’t bowl for another hour. Our man drops the ball and starts showing the bulge in his wallet to team mates - Shakes Mullen (Rene Mullen) in particular - as he walks to slip. With the who-ha finished, we settle down for a resumption. First ball, Rick snicks to Joicey who holds a blinder. He holds it up and shouts to the boundary and Mick, “all right if I field here?”
· sitting with Davo (Andrew Davis) and others on the tray of Frosty’s (Graham Frost) ute with an ever diminishing supply of grog, watching Firsts flog Easts in the Final at the Sportsground (1986-87). Conno (Mike Connolly) took 6-fa
· Davo leading us in “Father Abraham” at barbie’s
· lots of tales about training at Newling nets. Made the mistake of calling the Angry Man (Andrew McNeill) by the nickname “Rattler” and wore the result. For an over or two, that afternoon, he was equal to the fastest I ever faced and it was the only time I was scared with a bat in my hand... despite what Wes used to think !Craybob Crew (Victor Crew) was having a slog one afternoon, in that way only he could. After clouting Wesley Winston (Wes Davis) into the middle of Newling Oval a couple of times, Wes asked him, “where’s your horse cowboy?” Crewy smiled and replied, “out there with your ball mate!” Rhodesy (Brian Rhodes) being asked questions by our young 5th graders. “You’re a pretty big bloke Mr Rhodes. How do you go when you have to run two threes in a row?” Says Rhodesy, “Best way to run two threes son, is to hit a six!”
· Dozer (Tim Muldoon) and Frosty getting pissed at Klink’s (Steve Reading) on their debut night on the grog and being delivered home early doors, with inter-district on the next day. Klink and Wally (Roger Sattler) were main culprits
· Jimmy Campbell ... write your own highlight!
Roger Sattler (378) Debuted 1979/80
- the 1983-84 premiership. Despite ten seasons of first grade cricket and five grand finals, this was my only premiership during my time in Armidale
- Klink (Steve Reading) and I taking a couple of young 17 year olds (Muldoon & Frost) for their first serious drink. Absolutely hysterical! Frosty picked me up for a rep game the next day and he was very seedy. Doon was so seedy he couldn’t make it.
- Klink taking his bat and going home after Joe Harrison declared while we were still behind v St Peters at Wicklow
- in all the years I played cricket, I never took a hat trick. In the inter-district final (mid 80’s), Frosty - who had the safest pair of hands in the outfield - dropped a sitter at mid on to deny me my best ever chance
- one day at Lambert Park I was down to bat at 4. I promptly put on the pads and took up my position next to the fence. I was still there at 6:00 pm with Waratahs 1-300 odd - Muldoon about 170 and Frost about 120. Well done boys ! Now I know why I took up golf
- whites nights ! Some of my (indeed much of our) best cricket was played in Armidale’s pubs on these nights. Win, lose or draw, these nights underlined why I played the game
James Campbell (382) Debuted 1979/80
- Batting in 4th grade and seeing the secret “crank it up” signal from the boundary from the late Captain Courageous and Gentleman Jim Pollard.
- Batting in 4th grade and being umpired by Tim Bindley where occasionally it might have been whispered from the Learned Umpire that “the 4th ball will be no ball Jamie Boy”. Funny, I never had any complaints with this umpire. Not so with opposing teams who regularly insisted on a replacement umpire.
- Observing “H” (Harry Deiderick) raising his boot about shin height to stop a ball racing to the boundary. Ball smashing into the soul of his boot and being returned with only 20 to 25 bounces to the bowler. All done with the assistance of only one bottom lip attached to a cigarette during the performance of his duty in the outfield.
- Annual Christmas party at Harry & Betty's
- Winning the 4th grade premiership and association aggregate. (I don’t think I mentioned Bindo in any acceptance speech – funny that).
- Playing in a 2nd grade match at Harris Park 2 in what I believe to have been AJ Angry Man’s (Andrew McNeill) first ‘Tahs appearance. If memory serves me correctly, we in slips and gully sniggered as this thin new boy having removed a purple and white stripped cap started his run up at the base of one of the big Willows on the boundary. It only took one delivery for us all to take about ten paces backwards after he very nearly removed the head of the opposing batsman who thought he had done well to see off the opening bowlers. We still had silly grins and sniggers, but for different reasons. Fielding became instantly enjoyable to everyone.
- The hero or villain feeling when either netting or putting down a chance from an AJ delivery.
- Being part of the 1983/84 First grade winning team. I recall thinking how fantastic it would be to see Rick Porter and Satts smash 100s and then to see one of our big guns like Frosty (Graham Frost) or Tim (Muldoon) do the same (but just a bit more). At the end of the day I recall feeling particularly relieved while fielding at silly mid on to see Rick’s stumps knocked back early in the piece courtesy of a Colonel Klink (Steve Reading) special.
- Memories of hitting the winning runs in the 1986/87 1st grade winning side.
- Not so fond memories of being beaten by a Central’s team and a TAS team that on paper we thought we had comfortably in the bag.
- The many social gatherings after matches that involved every club member in every grade.
- Lango (Peter Langston), somewhat disappointed after being dismissed, cursing the Lord with all manner of vulgarity within clear earshot of Churches wives and supporters.
- Fielding in slip with Tim Muldoon at Lambert Park.
- Victor Crew at Newling Nets – Crew smashes a drive in typical fashion.Wes Davis bowling and therefore running in the opposite direction being collected squarely in the groin
- I recall always being amazed at the level of humour being hit in the groin provides to others. On that note a big thank you to Conno (Michael Connolly), AJ and Wes who seemed to gain particular joy in achieving a direct hit and providing the humour for the rest of us.
- As tennis players rhythmically bounce the ball, Joe Harrison would rhythmically brush his hair back before bowling, landing another offie bang on the spot.
- Jimmy, unlucky again.Having been run out by Frosty (I still haven’t forgiven you) at Uralla, I turned on the way out, still fuming and said, “you &^%#, you bloody well better not come back out here unless you’re 100”. He replied with a majestic ton.
- The association with Tatts Hotel and the old back bar. Dave Turnbull - enough said; Conno very nearly providing a technicolour addition to the carpet before handing his keys to Smooth (Brian Connolly) ; Davo (Andrew Davis) – “Dancing on Ceiling” and seemingly endless supply of jokes; H selling raffle tickets pretty much on his own; Bindo’s (Tim Bindley) humour.
- Presentation nights.
- Involvement at just about all levels within the club and those who held positions at the time. Lango, Doug (Menzies), Davo, Bede (Ryan), Conno, Chris Ridley, Fuse (Phil Melville) to name just a few.
- Disappointment to see severe drop in numbers in cricket generally in Armidale and in our club in particular. Disappointment to see the decline in the level of spirit, involvement, fun and success of the club.
Tim Bindley (393) Debuted 1980/81
- 1980/81 Nowendoc tour and Davo (Andrew Davis) making the “juniors” take 100 catches while older members of touring party refreshed. Being billeted out and new mom cuts up my steak and tucks me into bed (Lango, do we still have that phone number?)
- 1981/82 Jim Pollard, Fourth Grade Premiership Captain. I was lucky enough to play that year and Jim brought that team from luckless to fruitful. The team was a mixture of the old with the new and as one of the new it was amazing to see how competitive but still sporting Jim was in his captaincy. He was never afraid to take a chance - I distinctly remember batting with the help of car lights, the team chasing and getting an outright from a impossible position.
- Any one of Mick Muldoon’s LBW appeals
Andrew McNeill (419) Debuted 1982/83
- Frosty (Graham Frost) boy behind the stumps, with Doon (Tim Muldoon) in slips giving him a hard time (and from what I remember neither of them could catch a cold!!!!!!!!).
- the whippy wrist action of Rhodesy (Brian Rhodes) ( I'm not sure whether he was putting a ball over mid-wicket for six or drinking a schooner !!!!)
- Graham Johnson's conversations.
- Conno's (Mike Connolly) serious face
- Tilb's (David Tildbury) smile - he was always smiling (I think he has a serious problem).
- the afternoon teas supplied by the wenches
- "whites nights(knights)"
- Jimmy Campbell (but I'm not sure why)
- Judy, Suzy & Tanya giving us a hard time (but I'm not sure why)
- bus trips (but I'm not sure why)
- attending Tahs meetings with the likes of Andrew Davis, Wes Davis & other seriously funny gentlemen.
- Satts (Roger Sattler) giving Doon the biggest boot in the groin from behind (accidentally of course-sounds horrible doesn't it-believe me it looked even worse) at a party at Johnno's place.
- 2003 Lismore trip
Doug Menzies (481) Debuted 1984/85
I have a number of great memories from my days with the Tahs. In my younger days, playing a few seasons as a teenager in low (very low) grade in Sydney, I was a bowler, well in my mind anyway. Here I am in Armidale now fronting up to a new town and a new club, not really knowing the lie of the land, so I’m in Lango’s (Peter Langston) 1984/85 3rd grade team. Picture this, my first game for the Club, first round of the season, Tahs Vs Churches, Tahs bat first – we set a new Club record, unfortunately for the lowest score – all out 25. I hasten to add I was batting at No. 11 and I was 1 Not Out! Well at least I held my end up with a very straight bat.
Captaining the 3rd grade team, following Bede Ryan’s call up to 2nd Grade, taking out the minor Premiership was also a highlight, only loosing 2 one-day games in January school holidays, was memorable, along with taking 100 wickets for the Club is still a milestone for me, particularly as it is the only century I was ever likely to make.
David Nosworthy - St Peters & Easts
I don’t know what’s happened to my long-term memory, but some Waratahs encounters still stand out. Such as a match played at Lambert Park (don’t know why we were playing there). I guess the memorable part of that game for me were my opening spell figures of 1/11 off 12 overs (or was it 10) and if Tim Muldoon was a walker, the healthy snick that was heard across at the hospital would have given me 2/11!
Then there was a match at…., what’s the name of that ground!!! Anyway, it was probably 1989 and Mike Connolly was having another healthy season. For some reason he has to leave the match early and head off to Sydney, so he had limited batting time, so in throwing the willow around he was bowled (by a superb slow ball from memory), however his score was something over 100. Dangerous fella – on and off the ground!
Then there was a grand final against Waratahs – for me forgettable, as a ‘groin’ (always a groin!) didn’t cooperate with me early in the match. But the pre-match in the Daily Distress was unusual when they contacted both Graham Johnson and myself for a photo shoot of the opposing captains. The photographer had us doing a range of beautifully ‘spontaneous’ poses, before they ran with a shot of Johnno and I arm wrestling – which took way too much real estate on their front page.
However, my best memories of Armidale cricket though are post match – around the great blokes from my teams and those of the other clubs; visiting both our ‘own’ pub and heading to have a beer with the opposing team, dissecting the match, and getting home early… usually next morning. Armidale cricket, good cricket, good blokes, good fun, great friends.
Kevin Pike - St Peters
Whether an original or a honorary Waratahrian, I have great memories of the time I spent with my Waratah mates on the field and on the Armidale District Cricket Association Board of Control.
Jimmy Campbell would have even fonder memories of treating my bowling with contempt (he was not alone, Ed) on Bruce Browning one afternoon (7th Oct, 1989) when he hit one of the quickest centuries for Waratahs in 3rd Grade. That was Mike Muldoon's comeback match on his return to Armidale
Since retiring from Comp cricket, Roy Powell, Dick McColl, Phil Radburn and myself organised some of our old mates back to arms in a golden oldies friendly comp .The four teams have now reduced by natural attrition to two. We play about 7 matches a season against ourselves and other golden oldie sides. Perhaps we can play Tamworth this season?
I have through Golden Oldies played in 4 overseas countries: Sth Africa with Graham Johnson; Canada ,Sri Lanka, Canada and New Zealand with Phil Allen and Mike Muldoon.
I was also with all those Waratahs in a Gold Coast Carnival when Wes Davis bowled his last ball in cricket! Frostie (Graham Frost) also played one match with our elitist group against Queensland Cricketers Club a couple of years ago.
Mike Muldoon (192) Debuted 1964/65
Captaining the 3rd grade team, following Bede Ryan’s call up to 2nd Grade, taking out the minor Premiership was also a highlight, only loosing 2 one-day games in January school holidays, was memorable, along with taking 100 wickets for the Club is still a milestone for me, particularly as it is the only century I was ever likely to make.
David Nosworthy - St Peters & Easts
I don’t know what’s happened to my long-term memory, but some Waratahs encounters still stand out. Such as a match played at Lambert Park (don’t know why we were playing there). I guess the memorable part of that game for me were my opening spell figures of 1/11 off 12 overs (or was it 10) and if Tim Muldoon was a walker, the healthy snick that was heard across at the hospital would have given me 2/11!
Then there was a match at…., what’s the name of that ground!!! Anyway, it was probably 1989 and Mike Connolly was having another healthy season. For some reason he has to leave the match early and head off to Sydney, so he had limited batting time, so in throwing the willow around he was bowled (by a superb slow ball from memory), however his score was something over 100. Dangerous fella – on and off the ground!
Then there was a grand final against Waratahs – for me forgettable, as a ‘groin’ (always a groin!) didn’t cooperate with me early in the match. But the pre-match in the Daily Distress was unusual when they contacted both Graham Johnson and myself for a photo shoot of the opposing captains. The photographer had us doing a range of beautifully ‘spontaneous’ poses, before they ran with a shot of Johnno and I arm wrestling – which took way too much real estate on their front page.
However, my best memories of Armidale cricket though are post match – around the great blokes from my teams and those of the other clubs; visiting both our ‘own’ pub and heading to have a beer with the opposing team, dissecting the match, and getting home early… usually next morning. Armidale cricket, good cricket, good blokes, good fun, great friends.
Kevin Pike - St Peters
Whether an original or a honorary Waratahrian, I have great memories of the time I spent with my Waratah mates on the field and on the Armidale District Cricket Association Board of Control.
Jimmy Campbell would have even fonder memories of treating my bowling with contempt (he was not alone, Ed) on Bruce Browning one afternoon (7th Oct, 1989) when he hit one of the quickest centuries for Waratahs in 3rd Grade. That was Mike Muldoon's comeback match on his return to Armidale
Since retiring from Comp cricket, Roy Powell, Dick McColl, Phil Radburn and myself organised some of our old mates back to arms in a golden oldies friendly comp .The four teams have now reduced by natural attrition to two. We play about 7 matches a season against ourselves and other golden oldie sides. Perhaps we can play Tamworth this season?
I have through Golden Oldies played in 4 overseas countries: Sth Africa with Graham Johnson; Canada ,Sri Lanka, Canada and New Zealand with Phil Allen and Mike Muldoon.
I was also with all those Waratahs in a Gold Coast Carnival when Wes Davis bowled his last ball in cricket! Frostie (Graham Frost) also played one match with our elitist group against Queensland Cricketers Club a couple of years ago.
Mike Muldoon (192) Debuted 1964/65
- being run out for 75 at Lambert Park after an aggressive LBW appeal and forgetting to get back in my crease. Johnno (Graham Johnson) was the square leg umpire and responded to the appeal with “aaaaaaarrrrrrrgggggghhhhh ...”
- Bede Ryan abusing me for dropping a sitter at square leg in the 2nd grade Final against Easts. The batsman - Alan Donges - was on 85 and he went on to 145 or so
- Albert Hofkamp encouraging me past the ton against YCW by telling me to defend against 6 bouncers an over
- performing a brilliant run out of a Centrals guy by lobbing a gentle underarm to Gavin Finlayson who took out middle stump from 30 metres
- Rhodesy (Brian Rhodes) telling me not to cross bat at Harris Park. I lasted three short balls then an aborted pull and I was out for 0
Tim Muldoon (296) Debuted 1974/75
- winning grand final as fill in captain against Easts after parts of Wesley (Wes Davis) turned blue. I think we had a couple that night
fielding at midoff with Wes bowling to Rick Porter. I was 150m from the bat and still saving a single with bruises to most parts of my legs and hands. After the 22nd half volley in a row I said to Wes, “I think you’ve got him. Try a bouncer. Rick rolled onto the back foot and hooked in the air and was caught by a spectacular catch. Unfortunately it was by a kid in Rugby League Park - Great memories of being nurtured by the older players such as Shakes (Rene Mullen), Guiley (Graham Johnson), Jack (Trestrail), Ian Campbell etc.
Playing at Harris Park when Joey (Joe Harrison) declared 50 runs behind on the first innings, with Klink (Steve Reading) padded up. Well the pads flew off, deck chair landed 35 metres away as the Colonel picked up his chair threw it in the boot and bolted - the days out at CSIRO were great. I can't go into the details - there are too many
- René Mullen, always playing tricks on people. One day at Harris park playing against Hillgrove, Shakes (Rene Mullen) came into bowl and threw the ball from just behind the umpire. The batsman was Peter Schaefer I think and he was about to complain when Shakes said “shit that slipped out wrong.” Still in disbelief Shakes clean bowled him the very next ball. Another time I saw Shakes bowl a no-ball by about 5 meters which hit the batsman in the chest. He advised the umpire "I lost my runup". He again cleaned up the stumps next ball
- the many jokes that were told in slips
- watching someone after they had dropped a catch off Angry AJ McNeill
David Tilbury ((302) Debuted 1975/76
- Conno's (Mike Connolly) ton in an afternoon on Harris Park, while still a callow youth, against Easts when they were at their strongest - pure class (109 on 3-1-87)
- my hat-trick against Drummond and nearly being smothered in a bear hug by Ian Davies as a result
- coming in at no.10 against Beasts on Harris Park 2, with the scores tied and Patto (Graham Patterson) up the other end, snicked the first one into slips, refused to move despite Patto yelling for the run (there wasn't one on), watched Patto get run out before he could get back, then patted a catch back to the bowler off a ball that should have gone in the creek (along with a couple of other matches where I managed to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory)
- getting kissed by Tony Scanlon after I took a reflex catch in gully off his bowling to dismiss a Churches batsman in the 1975/76 Reserve Grade final on Lambert Park. That guy had got a ton against us in the semi the week before when they gave us a hiding, but we beat them by 10 wickets in the final
- listening impatiently to Alec (Finlayson) giving me one of his fatherly sermons on how I should bat on Wicklow, after having missed the previous ball, only to get clean bowled next delivery. The other team told Alec he'd done a great job, and would he please give the same advice to the new batsman!
- again on Harris Park against Beasts in the reserve grade final (1985/86). We'd got 227 and the game was evenly poised, with their top scorer on 55 and them 4 for about 150. The top scorer hit a top edge 5 miles straight up, I was at point and, as I waited for it to come down, I could see out of the corner of my eye Johnno (Graham Johnson) putting his hands over his eyes and Alec actually running further away and yelling "not mine" (or was it "yours"?) so it couldn't be said "the keeper could have got to it". Thank god it stuck!
Steve Reading (322) 1976/77
- busting the arse out of Easts in the Semi Final of the 83/84 season (forgive me if I get the year wrong...age has dampened the cells)
- Doon's (Tim Muldoon) throw from short forward point to clear the boundary at Bruce Browning Park during twilight cricket v NEED centre...1 run and 6 overthrows I think was the result (along with 22 blokes laughing!!!)
- being blamed for every ‘tahs First Grade loss when I batted number 11...I was supposed to stay there, along with my partner ... not get out and make sure he never got out ... I'm still trying to come to grips with my abject failure to be able to process the logic behind this!!!
- taking my first First grade wicket for Tahs with a well placed 'Billy Malcolm' special...bowled Laurie McCann around his legs with a 130kmh leg break...I can still see the look on his face (he said to me after he originally thought the keeper had knocked the ball onto the stumps...then he turned and realised the keeper was 22 bloody yards away)
Brian Rhodes (525) 1986/87
- naturally winning a first grade premiership is No 1 - had a great team of naturally gifted players
- having a very big hang over one Saturday afternoon when playing against Easts and was told it was about time we saw some serious runs out of me. Scored 128 odd out of 160. Only time a hang over worked
- singing with the Waratahs band upstairs at Tatts on presentation night
- enjoyed great friendship from all players at our club
- watching Andrew McNeill on his run up one day trying to avoid the emptying of his stomach
- the fantastic excuses given by the players to their respective girlfriends/wives
Andrew Davis (364) Debuted 1978/79
- the sight of Harry Deiderick under the top edge at fine leg, cigarette hanging out of his mouth, and applauding to catch. One of the greatest clubmen Waratahs ever saw, Harry ... and the greatest host of Christmas Parties
- the sight of blood pouring out of Jim Rolfe's (St Peters) head (above and below the eye), after AJ McNeill dropped him with a short ball - compo ball off the malthoid - during a twilight game. Previously, Rolfe had bowled short balls (at nowhere near AJ's pace) to two of the Waratahs ladies team members who had filled in for this match. When I threw AJ the ball later that day, he was heard to utter "I'll sort this @#$%* out."
- every bit of wisdom that Ian Campbell imparted on me and many other juniors at the Club
- the excuses that (Roger) Sattler used to try and stop us from being kicked out of Smith house after a whites night
- the sound of the deck chairs being flung in the back of Steve 'Klink' Reading's car after his friend Joe Harrison declared at 9 down with less than 30 for the outright
- the sound of Mick Muldoon's bowling action from release - usually "Aaarrghh ..... howwwwwiiizzzzzzthhhaaaaaaattttt!!!! ...... must have been f-ing close ...... SNAP! ...... Strapping please!!"
- hearing every old joke there was, standing in the slips cordon with Garry Holloway et al in my first season in 2nd grade
- the smell of burning leather during any one of Rhodesy's (Brian Rhodes) explosive visits to the crease. One of the hardest hitting and dangerous batsmen the Club ever saw. The only thing faster than the scoreboard changes was Rhodesy's detailed match description later that night
- the taste of a premiership ... no just joking. Not one in 14 seasons. Always in the wrong place at the wrong time. But I do recall the taste of defeat when Conno's (Mike Connolly) 11 were hot favourites, and beaten by the "Twisted Team" (Centrals) spearheaded by Bummy and Pissy. With nicknames like that, we never stood a chance. Having spent the majority of the season in 2nd grade, the selectors in their wisdom rushed me into the 1st grade for the final after a knee operation. Don't need to mention that 2nd grade won that year! I think the taste of that defeat was worse for our leader, Conno, given the look of what he was chucking into the silver bucket at Tatts later that night
- realising that the taste of beer fueled Tim Muldoon to perform, when after three cans, he scored a ton in (I think) 13 overs at Lambert against a touring pommy club side
- you never allowed (Tony) Bennett to touch the ball, as you'd never get it back. Tough when he was captain. Tony actually lobbied the ICB at one stage to allow bowlers to bowl consecutive overs from both ends.
Martin Campbell (490) Debuted 1984-85
Quite a job you’ve done on that website, congrats! I may be one of many who read through the stats, and I would bet like most, with ego pushing forward through the names and numbers, did stop to see my name mentioned. And what a warm fuzzy feeling the ego gets when it sees the recognition, and thank Christ it also has time to ponder the successes of all those folk who bring back memories. My little brain doth remember a fine day at Wicklow when I was filling in as wicki for 1st grade and took a diving catch down leg side to the great A.J.McNeil. I couldn’t help but have this etched in my mind because of the intensity of the moment and knowing that, despite having to dive, I would have had my gloves ripped off by the Angry Man and slapped with them if it had have been dropped.
Milton Milligan (34) debuted 1952-53
(As told to Peter Langston)
The joy of this Reunion will be bringing players together to talk about their time with the club. This evening, I had a delightful phone call from Milton Milligan, the only known survivor of the side which won Waratahs first Premiership in 1952-53. He's hoping to attend in September and is happy to provide a photo of the 52-53 side. Milton still has his Waratahs cap and his New England "pocket" which was given to players who played for New England in the 1950's. He talked to me of the first of the star Waratahs bowlers, Vic Snell, who was a huge man and a publican. Vic took 152 wickets in those early years, with a best of 7-11 but what I didn't know was that he had a club foot and limped in of a shortened run but gained his speed and power from immense shoulders and bear like arms.
Milton said both Fred Skillicorn and Bob Howe were gifted tennis players, Fred being the person the Skillicorn Cup is named for. He also described Laurie Cooper as a tremendously talented allrounder. Milton was modest about his own achievements for Waratahs but did describe with some delight a catch he took one day of Vic Snell at second slip which he grabbed after it had passed him and was by all accounts a "screamer".
Milton hailed from Kempsey but left after floods wiped out his employer. He had been a successful school boy cricketer and feats such as 6 wickets and 150 runs in an afternoon eventually saw him picked in the local district side. He came to Armidale up the infamous Kempsey Rd and it was here he met his wife. He played cricket for Waratahs from 52-53, finishing at the end of 55-56. He owned two furniture stores in Armidale and others in the New England but notably, in the 1960's, the furniture store on the corner of Rusden and Faulkner Sts which another Waratahs man, Bob Barwick, would own in the 1980's. Most of his seven children were born in Armidale but he and his wife live in retirement in Newcastle.
At 81, after a full, colourful and interesting life, he's earned it.
Milton will almost certainly be our lowest numbered player in attendance at the reunion.
Allan Cox (160) Debuted 1962-63
When I arrived from the North Coast in '62 either some clever person directed me to the best cricket club or maybe it was the late Ned
McCann's misdirection when he told me that I wasn't good enough to
play with Easts!
The Gray/Cox opening partnerships were often productive but never ever dull. Grey was the only partner I ever had who used the sweep shot off the new ball and sometimes I was forced to close my eyes when he attempted them (often successfully) from half-volleys outside the off stump, dispatching them rapidly to the fine leg fence. He must have been bored watching me playing carefully with shots more aligned to the text book.
I will desist from listing the many great memories I had with the club but one which I still sometimes dream about was when I had been thrust into captaincy v Uralla. Walter Taylor was dropped off successive balls from Tom Cooke (I think) at first, then second and then third slip.
Before the next ball I moved point to a square gully. Walter promptly back cut straight to the very safe hands of (I think) Eric smith. Bye, bye Walter who was well on his way to another ton.
When I arrived in Canada in '66 I was surprised to find a high calibre competition (West Indians, Indians, Poms and a few Okkers) in progress in Edmonton. I had to start off batting at 7 and pretending to be an all rounder in order to get into a team. In my fourth year there I was selected to represent Canada for a West Indies tour as an opener but had to decline because I was close to finishing my Ph.D. Probably would have had my head knocked off down there anyway.
Returning to Armidale in '70 as a golfer and swimming coach I could not find time to play cricket until the '80's when the fabulous Waratah Vets arose from the archives. Cox and Gray again! And still no run-outs! Alan Gray was never one for quick singles. On the malthoid at Harris Park I had to threaten to clobber Peter Hutchinson with my bat if he dared bowl a third short one at Gray's head.
Judy and I are happy here at Bellerive looking down the Derwent and often strolling a few blocks down the hill to enjoy the air-conditioned comfort of the members stand and watch some good cricket over a Cascade or two.
Tim Squire (528) Debuted 1986-87
I had a look at the website yesterday and was really impressed at all your work - as well as being taken back to an era I had almost forgotten! I only played a couple of seasons in 86-87 and was surprised (and chuffed ;-) to see my name a few times in the match results. Thanks so much to you for compiling all that online - and to those who originally recorded it all! Their/your commitment to the whole broader club/community life is a really valuable thing - I think it taps into something basic about the design of what it means to be human... being part of a group, not just individuals.I always wondered how - as a retiring, geeky kid - I got into the Armidale U18s team without even trying out. I was incredibly grateful for the opportunity and never really asked why I was there - in case it was all a big mistake! Maybe it was - but more likely it was the result of someone/s at Waratahs keeping an eye out for potential and risking giving someone like me a chance. Not sure who those people might have been (or whether they later regretted the choice! I did get a few wickets...) but I know it would not have happened except for the healthy sense of club community that I only later became consciously aware of.Anyway, enough rambling, I'd better get to work!I'm living in Tassie working as a Physio - just looking at airfares... nothing affordable jumping out at me unfortunately. I would like a cap, and if Friday Fare Frenzy with Jetstar chucks something up, I might even get there! I've texted Mark Dymock and Peter Evans this morning to remind them too.
Tony Yeomans (649) Debuted 1991-92
I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone in 4th grade from way back in the early 90’s I played with at Waratahs and before that when I played against Waratah’s with Churches Cricket Club for the mateship and good play that we enjoyed all those years ago. I thoroughly enjoyed my 4 or so years at this club during which I also filled the role of Treasurer for a couple of years and also on the Board of Control for Armidale and District Cricket Assoc as a club delegate.
To play with the great names of Waratahs such as the Hadfields, Hofkamps, Philps, Langstons, Campbells and Roans etc etc in the lower grades was the best years of my cricket life. A time of great fun, frivolity and mateship. Good memories too. From the City of Good Sports, Wagga Wagga, the town of all great cricketers, I say to you all, Best wishes for this evening and for the games of cricket and golf. I will be thinking of you fondly this weekend as you all gather in my old home town of Armidale and I will have a beer or two for you all and you can have one for me. Long live the Waratahs, Go You Good Things...
Tim Bindley (393) Debuted 1980-81
On choosing the Champion Team
I must admit I believe that a champion team shouldn’t rely on just stats to embellish their status, as you well know it takes all different characters and personalities to make a great team and a whole lot more to make a great club, luckily Waratahs was blessed with all of the above and really I feel I can only comment on just a few nominations with any real insight.
I will be very surprised if you remember me but I stumbled upon the web page and after a long review, thought I should offer some comment.
I was a proud player for the Daffodils from 1984 – 1990 (lower grades, in fact, very lower grades!) and remember playing the men in blue on a number of occasions, with wins and losses balancing out I guess.
The one thing that struck me in reading through , was the warmth of all the writers in recollecting their time playing in the Armidale, and the fact that despite the intensity of the competition, the game really was paramount. I look back now and feel blessed in a way, that was able to play in a strong competition with a number of older players who 'looked after' the younger players on both sides and taught them what the game was about.
I remembered a number of the players mentioned in your history, particularly Satts, who seemed a towering figure when he defected to Easts ( he would later teach at the same school as me on the Gold Coast - All Saints - but I missed him by 12 months). AJ McNeil was mentioned in hushed tones.
I can remember Bede Ryan being a terse figure at the bowlers end in rep games ( how did I make the U/16 rep team? - it was a poor crop in 1986/87). Graham Johnson coached a good friend of mine, Nick Piggott, when he showed promise, despite his leanings towards the men in Gold. I remember watching in quiet reverence when Graham scored a 50 or so against us in Seconds one day.
I had the honour of captaining Easts to a premiership in Third Grade in 1987/88 and Alec Finlayson talking his way through a couple of innings during the season - McGilvray and Benaud were nothing in his shadow.
Most significantly though, I can remember filling in on the Armidale Community Radio station's Saturday Morning sports show and attempting to analyse the previous weekend's games in the local hockey comp. The mother of a good friend complimented me on my efforts ( I think she and her Labrador made up the audience). Unfortunately, she didn't see the Punch and Judy Show that you and Davo put on whilst the red light was on and I was attempting to sound knowledgable. Andrew actually attempted to teach me Physics at O'Connor Catholic High School previously. He also cut short an innings of mine in a rare appearance in Second Grade at TAS Meadowfield. He took a screamer at Mid On at full stretch that sent me back to the Thirsty Thirds - a possibly great career snuffed out by chance.
I noticed that the reunion is on this weekend and wanted to wish you all well, despite the slim chance of anyone remembering me. A medical mishap has robbed me of a leg in recent times and sadly I won't play cricket again. I wish that I could though and play grade cricket with my own son and let him experience some of what I did as a youngster. I know I am a better person for having enjoyed the circuit of Charlston Willows, Harris Park II, Bruce Browning and the rest.
The Porters, Nobby Bailey, Satts, 'Snorkel' Noseworthy, Richard Rollings and Paul Marquardt were giants to me in my younger days at Easts. I am certain that a number of people looked up to the stalwarts of the Waratahs Cricket Club at the same time in the mid 80's. I watched enough of First Grade in that time to know the quality of the players in Armidale at that time.
Enjoy the reunion and long may you all play.
The Amazing Hendo
Fancy sitting at home on long, long Sunday afternoon and the mobile chirps to life to reveal the Amazing Hendo on its other end. Delayed in receiving his invitation to the Waratahs 60th Reunion his disappointment hung in the air like the smell of an approaching Monday morning but was masked by questions about who attended. I directed him to these pages and he left contact details for any future events.
I never cease to be amazed at the drawing power of this wonderful old club!
(Peter Langston)
The joy of this Reunion will be bringing players together to talk about their time with the club. This evening, I had a delightful phone call from Milton Milligan, the only known survivor of the side which won Waratahs first Premiership in 1952-53. He's hoping to attend in September and is happy to provide a photo of the 52-53 side. Milton still has his Waratahs cap and his New England "pocket" which was given to players who played for New England in the 1950's. He talked to me of the first of the star Waratahs bowlers, Vic Snell, who was a huge man and a publican. Vic took 152 wickets in those early years, with a best of 7-11 but what I didn't know was that he had a club foot and limped in of a shortened run but gained his speed and power from immense shoulders and bear like arms.
Milton said both Fred Skillicorn and Bob Howe were gifted tennis players, Fred being the person the Skillicorn Cup is named for. He also described Laurie Cooper as a tremendously talented allrounder. Milton was modest about his own achievements for Waratahs but did describe with some delight a catch he took one day of Vic Snell at second slip which he grabbed after it had passed him and was by all accounts a "screamer".
Milton hailed from Kempsey but left after floods wiped out his employer. He had been a successful school boy cricketer and feats such as 6 wickets and 150 runs in an afternoon eventually saw him picked in the local district side. He came to Armidale up the infamous Kempsey Rd and it was here he met his wife. He played cricket for Waratahs from 52-53, finishing at the end of 55-56. He owned two furniture stores in Armidale and others in the New England but notably, in the 1960's, the furniture store on the corner of Rusden and Faulkner Sts which another Waratahs man, Bob Barwick, would own in the 1980's. Most of his seven children were born in Armidale but he and his wife live in retirement in Newcastle.
At 81, after a full, colourful and interesting life, he's earned it.
Milton will almost certainly be our lowest numbered player in attendance at the reunion.
Allan Cox (160) Debuted 1962-63
When I arrived from the North Coast in '62 either some clever person directed me to the best cricket club or maybe it was the late Ned
McCann's misdirection when he told me that I wasn't good enough to
play with Easts!
The Gray/Cox opening partnerships were often productive but never ever dull. Grey was the only partner I ever had who used the sweep shot off the new ball and sometimes I was forced to close my eyes when he attempted them (often successfully) from half-volleys outside the off stump, dispatching them rapidly to the fine leg fence. He must have been bored watching me playing carefully with shots more aligned to the text book.
I will desist from listing the many great memories I had with the club but one which I still sometimes dream about was when I had been thrust into captaincy v Uralla. Walter Taylor was dropped off successive balls from Tom Cooke (I think) at first, then second and then third slip.
Before the next ball I moved point to a square gully. Walter promptly back cut straight to the very safe hands of (I think) Eric smith. Bye, bye Walter who was well on his way to another ton.
When I arrived in Canada in '66 I was surprised to find a high calibre competition (West Indians, Indians, Poms and a few Okkers) in progress in Edmonton. I had to start off batting at 7 and pretending to be an all rounder in order to get into a team. In my fourth year there I was selected to represent Canada for a West Indies tour as an opener but had to decline because I was close to finishing my Ph.D. Probably would have had my head knocked off down there anyway.
Returning to Armidale in '70 as a golfer and swimming coach I could not find time to play cricket until the '80's when the fabulous Waratah Vets arose from the archives. Cox and Gray again! And still no run-outs! Alan Gray was never one for quick singles. On the malthoid at Harris Park I had to threaten to clobber Peter Hutchinson with my bat if he dared bowl a third short one at Gray's head.
Judy and I are happy here at Bellerive looking down the Derwent and often strolling a few blocks down the hill to enjoy the air-conditioned comfort of the members stand and watch some good cricket over a Cascade or two.
Tim Squire (528) Debuted 1986-87
I had a look at the website yesterday and was really impressed at all your work - as well as being taken back to an era I had almost forgotten! I only played a couple of seasons in 86-87 and was surprised (and chuffed ;-) to see my name a few times in the match results. Thanks so much to you for compiling all that online - and to those who originally recorded it all! Their/your commitment to the whole broader club/community life is a really valuable thing - I think it taps into something basic about the design of what it means to be human... being part of a group, not just individuals.I always wondered how - as a retiring, geeky kid - I got into the Armidale U18s team without even trying out. I was incredibly grateful for the opportunity and never really asked why I was there - in case it was all a big mistake! Maybe it was - but more likely it was the result of someone/s at Waratahs keeping an eye out for potential and risking giving someone like me a chance. Not sure who those people might have been (or whether they later regretted the choice! I did get a few wickets...) but I know it would not have happened except for the healthy sense of club community that I only later became consciously aware of.Anyway, enough rambling, I'd better get to work!I'm living in Tassie working as a Physio - just looking at airfares... nothing affordable jumping out at me unfortunately. I would like a cap, and if Friday Fare Frenzy with Jetstar chucks something up, I might even get there! I've texted Mark Dymock and Peter Evans this morning to remind them too.
Tony Yeomans (649) Debuted 1991-92
I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone in 4th grade from way back in the early 90’s I played with at Waratahs and before that when I played against Waratah’s with Churches Cricket Club for the mateship and good play that we enjoyed all those years ago. I thoroughly enjoyed my 4 or so years at this club during which I also filled the role of Treasurer for a couple of years and also on the Board of Control for Armidale and District Cricket Assoc as a club delegate.
To play with the great names of Waratahs such as the Hadfields, Hofkamps, Philps, Langstons, Campbells and Roans etc etc in the lower grades was the best years of my cricket life. A time of great fun, frivolity and mateship. Good memories too. From the City of Good Sports, Wagga Wagga, the town of all great cricketers, I say to you all, Best wishes for this evening and for the games of cricket and golf. I will be thinking of you fondly this weekend as you all gather in my old home town of Armidale and I will have a beer or two for you all and you can have one for me. Long live the Waratahs, Go You Good Things...
Tim Bindley (393) Debuted 1980-81
On choosing the Champion Team
I must admit I believe that a champion team shouldn’t rely on just stats to embellish their status, as you well know it takes all different characters and personalities to make a great team and a whole lot more to make a great club, luckily Waratahs was blessed with all of the above and really I feel I can only comment on just a few nominations with any real insight.
- Ian Campbell, champion on and off the field
- Michael Connolly, his speed of speech and batting prowess
- Brian Joice, the man was still a legend when I was around!
Ian Burgess - Easts lower grader 1984-90
I will be very surprised if you remember me but I stumbled upon the web page and after a long review, thought I should offer some comment.
I was a proud player for the Daffodils from 1984 – 1990 (lower grades, in fact, very lower grades!) and remember playing the men in blue on a number of occasions, with wins and losses balancing out I guess.
The one thing that struck me in reading through , was the warmth of all the writers in recollecting their time playing in the Armidale, and the fact that despite the intensity of the competition, the game really was paramount. I look back now and feel blessed in a way, that was able to play in a strong competition with a number of older players who 'looked after' the younger players on both sides and taught them what the game was about.
I remembered a number of the players mentioned in your history, particularly Satts, who seemed a towering figure when he defected to Easts ( he would later teach at the same school as me on the Gold Coast - All Saints - but I missed him by 12 months). AJ McNeil was mentioned in hushed tones.
I can remember Bede Ryan being a terse figure at the bowlers end in rep games ( how did I make the U/16 rep team? - it was a poor crop in 1986/87). Graham Johnson coached a good friend of mine, Nick Piggott, when he showed promise, despite his leanings towards the men in Gold. I remember watching in quiet reverence when Graham scored a 50 or so against us in Seconds one day.
I had the honour of captaining Easts to a premiership in Third Grade in 1987/88 and Alec Finlayson talking his way through a couple of innings during the season - McGilvray and Benaud were nothing in his shadow.
Most significantly though, I can remember filling in on the Armidale Community Radio station's Saturday Morning sports show and attempting to analyse the previous weekend's games in the local hockey comp. The mother of a good friend complimented me on my efforts ( I think she and her Labrador made up the audience). Unfortunately, she didn't see the Punch and Judy Show that you and Davo put on whilst the red light was on and I was attempting to sound knowledgable. Andrew actually attempted to teach me Physics at O'Connor Catholic High School previously. He also cut short an innings of mine in a rare appearance in Second Grade at TAS Meadowfield. He took a screamer at Mid On at full stretch that sent me back to the Thirsty Thirds - a possibly great career snuffed out by chance.
I noticed that the reunion is on this weekend and wanted to wish you all well, despite the slim chance of anyone remembering me. A medical mishap has robbed me of a leg in recent times and sadly I won't play cricket again. I wish that I could though and play grade cricket with my own son and let him experience some of what I did as a youngster. I know I am a better person for having enjoyed the circuit of Charlston Willows, Harris Park II, Bruce Browning and the rest.
The Porters, Nobby Bailey, Satts, 'Snorkel' Noseworthy, Richard Rollings and Paul Marquardt were giants to me in my younger days at Easts. I am certain that a number of people looked up to the stalwarts of the Waratahs Cricket Club at the same time in the mid 80's. I watched enough of First Grade in that time to know the quality of the players in Armidale at that time.
Enjoy the reunion and long may you all play.
The Amazing Hendo
Fancy sitting at home on long, long Sunday afternoon and the mobile chirps to life to reveal the Amazing Hendo on its other end. Delayed in receiving his invitation to the Waratahs 60th Reunion his disappointment hung in the air like the smell of an approaching Monday morning but was masked by questions about who attended. I directed him to these pages and he left contact details for any future events.
I never cease to be amazed at the drawing power of this wonderful old club!
(Peter Langston)
