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THE SEMIS - 1st Grade v Hillgrove, 24th/25th March 1990

Armidale Waratahs (The Tahs) | April 05, 2026

Waratahs were already a very strong side in the opening months of the season, with Stu MacFarlan (#606) reeling off runs with his eyes closed and Phil Melville (#542) ripping through any top order that was game enough to face him. Then Mark Dymock (#523) joined in December after three hundreds in the lower grades and made a fourth in a partnership of 181 with MacFarlan against Ex Services. If it wasn’t enough, Michael Connolly (#293) returned to Armidale from grade duties with St George in Sydney, via good form in 2nds and average 80 in four innings, including two delicious tons in consecutive innings. The week before the semi, Melville had set a new record for best 1st grade bowling performance with 9-14 against Uralla.

Waratahs were red-hot.

Hillgrove fought but then, they always do but in the end Waratahs pace attack was relentless and the numerous catches to slips were readily gobbled. It took fifty overs to winkle the last of the Grovers out. Given the quality of the Waratahs batting, it looked like a quick finish by Sunday morning until Mark Jackson got three of the first four and Waratahs were wobbling at 4-42. Father and Son Ryan calmed the farm, adding 51 to be on the verge of victory, each run a huge effort against accurate bowling. Then Mark Thompson removed Daniel (#514) and Garry Clarke (#285) in the same over and it was Shakin’ Stevens time again. With opening bowlers Jackson and Weaver back and giving it everything, Bedey Eyes (#503-pictured) got Waratahs in front and the clatter that followed didn’t matter but credit to Jacko who claimed five very good scalps.

Waratahs v Hillgrove - 1st Grade Semi-Final, 24th/25th March 1990


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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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