THE SEMIS - 5th Grade v Wollomombi 1987
Armidale Waratahs (The Tahs) | March 24, 2026
If you are going to win a semi-final as a Minor Premier, its always good to win big. Waratahs did that and then some.
After the disappointment of chasing more than 300 the previous season and losing by just 20, most of Ian Campbell's (#212) players had a that up their sleave as they faced the collection of farmers and cricket tragics from the rural holdings up in the mountains to Armidale's north east. Unfortunately for Wollomombi, they were given a hiding by a side who not only had just one person in it who shaved but 8 who would play 1st grade for Waratahs within four years of this game.
Michael Handes (#518) and Peter Murphy (#535) ripped out Wollomombi's first five before 30 was scored, Simon Joyce (#512) and Mark Charter (#515) removed Lawrence and Butler after they had added 58 and Ryan (#514) finished it off.
Waratahs batted for the next 117 overs, made 9-500 (the equal highest Waratahs team score in any grade) and won by nearly 400. The game was won before the first wicket fell at 132, when Ben Campbell (#489) left Joyce and the only two quick wickets which fell in the innings came next. Thereafter, everyone made runs, Joyce and Martin Campbell (#490) making hundreds. Marty and Gavin Finlayson (#516) added a grade record 98 for the 7th wicket. Campbelli declared without having a bat.
It was a long Sunday for Wollomombi. A massacre, really.
