THE SEMIS - 2nd Grade v Churches 1986
Armidale Waratahs (The Tahs) | March 22, 2026
Waratahs had fielded 33 players during 185-86, with only two of their batsmen reaching ten innings for the season. Skipper Graham Johnson (#207) was outstanding, averaging over 50 and constantly making the big scores.
He was outstanding in this semi final, making 127 out of a team total of 191, with only opener Greg Howarth (#) and number three Alec Finlayson (#) making double figures. Johnson absolutely dominated a very useful Churches attack, as wicket fell all around him.
The end total should never have been enough, especially with the class Churches had batting in the middle order - Luke Godwin, David Marshall, Steve Hadfield and Mark Dymock - but again Johnson was to the fore, with shrewd captaincy, even as Godwin and Marshall looked to be getting on top. The wickets were shared around but Waratahs managed to lead by 50 on the first innings.
With the match still in the balance, the three senior players in the side - Johnson, Michael Muldoon and Merv Philp - batted Churches out of the game. Muldoon was particularly severe during his beligerent half century.
It was Waratahs only win against Churches for the season.
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