THE SEMIS - A-Res Grade Vets v Hillgrove 1981

Armidale Waratahs (The Tahs) | March 24, 2026

The gun side all season, Minor Premiers Waratahs were a galaxy of stars, playing from emory perhaps but oh, what great memories they had. Runs were never a problem, with the lowest batting average among their top seven being Brian Joice's (#218) 39.3. Consistency was also a strong point with 12 of them sharing most of the games. Bowling was less durable but they were usually defending 300. Brian Joice bowled 145 overs at the remarkable economy rate of 2.7 and was leading wicket taker with 23. Jack Trestrail (#303) was the only other medium pacer, with the rest bowling spin at likewise miserly rates: John Roberts (#115) 2.6, Bob Barwick (#234) 3.7 and Brian Connolly (#226) 2.2. Of course, there was also the Vets Secret Weapon (aka SW), Harry Deiderick (#240-pictured) who 6 @ 9, including a career best 3-7 which won him the Beau Richardson Trophy for Best Performance in 1980-81.

Batting first, most of this age-not-ability challenged line up made starts and with Connolly and Barwick batting with their usual class and defence which had withstood much better than this Hillgrove side had to throw at them, they scored enough.

Joice and Trestrail collpased the top order as they usually did and it was a long way back for Hillgrove from 3-6. Edey, Northam and Gray did their best but it was same old, same old as they were strangled. SW finished them off.

Vets would now face their club mates in the Final.

Waratahs v Hillgrove - A-Res Grade Vets, 21st & 22nd March 1981