THE FINALS - 4th Grade v Hillgrove, 27th/28th March 1982

Armidale Waratahs (The Tahs) | April 07, 2026

After a season of improbable victories, some by the light of car headlights and the ageless enthusiasm of their veteran skipper, JIm Pollard (#395), this unshaving as yet team entered the Final full of the bravado of youth. Three of them would quickly go on to be quality 1st graders with in three seasons but against a strong Hillgrove side, led by the Hillgrove stalwart Edgar, this was a cliffhanger.

Parberry was the mainstay of Hillgrove’s innings and at 7-81, with John Williamson (#403) and Gareth Pickering (#418) doing their usual hatchet job, the game looked to be headed to a comfortable win for The Tahs. Support finally came from Howard Munday, adding 68 and at least giving Hillgrove something to bowl at. 

Waratahs made a strong start, with Danny Brown (#404), Matt Campbell (#363) and Christian Quaife (#372) all batting with great security but Coolentianos just kept coming at them and 1-96, with less than 80 to get for the Premiership suddenly became 7-141. Pickering was defending everything like it was a hand grenade, Coolientianos was back after a short spell and Waratahs number 9, Tim Bindley (#393),  was walking slowly to the crease. It was the last slow thing he did, smashing bowling which had batsmen shaking their heads into spaces and outer space. In a blink, the target was brushed past as though it was always easy and despite the last wickets crumbling soon after, Bindley had won Waratahs the Premiership.

His cavalier innings won him the Beau Richardson Trophy for individual club performance of the season.

Waratahs v Hillgrove - 4th Grade Final, 27th/28th March 1982