THE SEMIS - A Grade v Easts 1980
Armidale Waratahs (The Tahs) | March 21, 2026
In a season where A Grade had as many draws as wins and two games were decided by single run, batting was the major concern. Only two of the regular players averaged over 20 and only three made more than 250 for the season. Bowling was a different story, but as is often the case, finals games are played on much harder wickets and its batting that wins most of the games in March and later.
Waratahs came into the game without a win since Christmas and three consecutive draws, although in the last, they had by far the better of Easts who were 8 down and a long way behind.
Batting first at Lambert Park, there were seven who made starts but none reached 40 as the two Porter brothers shared the wickets. Apart from the frequency of starts, Michael Connolly (#293) and Graham Johnson (#207) - Waratahs two consistent batsmen all season - were both out cheaply to the persistently nagging Mike Porter. It had looked a 300 run track.
Steve Reading (#322) got Ray Eddie edging early but the remainder of the afternoon, Easts set about consolidating and setting up for the Sunday.
Waratahs were never in the hunt on a dead true wicket and Easts just batted sensibly, led by the perennial destroyer of Waratahs hopes in the 1980's, Rick Porter. The game was over soon after tea, with Easts strolling to a 6 wicket victory.
Waratahs v Easts - 1st Grade 1980
