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THE SEMIS - A-Res Grade v Centrals 1980

Armidale Waratahs (The Tahs) | March 22, 2026

Waratahs had a lot of bit players during the season, with only leading run scorer Graham Patterson (#346) and skipper Tony Bennett (#355) playing ten or more innings. Patto made the only century and Peter Langston (#357) was the only other batsman who got close, with 95 in the first round but he played the second half of the season in A Grade. Bennett had been the star performer with 251 runs and 34 wickets @ 13. David Tilbury (#302) was also reliable with the ball but it was batting that was the problem.

When Centrals spent the Saturday afternoon flogging the bowlers, the Sunday was always going to be a big test. Syd Philp (#269) and Bennett rose to that challenge but Centrals Paul Hickey's long spell with the new ball proved to good for the rest.

Centrals 326 (Ricky Porter 97, Tim Vaughan 67x) defeated Waratahs 226 (Syd Philp 67, Tony Bennett 52. Paul Hickey 6-78)

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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

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