THE SEMIS - A-Res Grade v Hillgrove 1961
Armidale Waratahs (The Tahs) | March 21, 2026
In a season when Waratahs lost only one game, drew one and won the rest, including 7 outright victories, the result in this game didn't do their efforts justice. Hillgrove were certainly the stongest side in the competition but the difference between them was only 4 competition points, yet Hillgrove were Minor Premiers and Waratahs 4th. The Waratahs side was well serviced with allrounders and had the advantage of the leading wicket taker in the competition, Tony Morriss (#78).
Waratahs batted first and apart from two players in the middle order, the other seven all made runs, with the season's top run getter Laurie Blake (126-pictured) and future A Grade century maker Bob Brennan (#127) both making half centuries. E Frost took five of the seven wickets lost before the declaration at 272.
Hillgrove never intended to chase the total, happy to bat out time as the draw was all they needed to progress to the Final and rain was on the way. Waratahs used 8 bowlers and wicketkeeper Ray Rose (#58) was on song with 3 dismissals. It was a bitter pill to swallow for a very good Waratahs side.
Waratahs v Hillgrove - A Res- Grade 1961
