THE SEMIS - B Grade v St Kilda, 1981
Armidale Waratahs (The Tahs) | March 25, 2026
Waratahs, a very young side under the guidance of the venerable Jim Pollard (#395), were pitted against a pub team of mates, all older and mostly jack-the-lads who liked to play attacking cricket. This was a problem for teen bowlers, easily intimidated by puff and bluster.
So it proved, with St Kilda getting quickly to 1-92, despite Robert’s Branschied (#390) making an early strike. John Williamson’s (#403) introduction changed the game and his 6-34 was the reason St Kilda lost their next nine for little more than 100 more.
Gwynne and Shorter kept knocking over the top order and at 5-41, things looked dire for any total within reach, let alone a win.
Known more his his bowling, Branschied went into “better to die by the sword” mode and found ready support in Tony Pattison (383), a 14 year old (#399 - name withheld “Sorry Business) and Williamson, but it wasn’t enough to worry St Kilda. Second time around, the St Kilda boys engaged in batting practice until the captains agreed to call it quits. Williamson picked up two more to have eight for the match and (#399) held three fine catches.
