Bob Barwick - cap #234 - The Tahs second lowest cap number, was born on this day, 4th of March, back in the days when Noah was just a lad who was keen on animals.
A keen mathematician and therefore a dreaded teacher in secondary schooling, Bob is one of Waratahs most revered members. Playing his first game in the 1970-71 season after previously playing for Easts CC in Armidale, he soon developed a reputation as a shrewd thinker on the game and a sharp card player. He also became one of the clubs most accurate scorers.
Often opening the batting, his record with the bat is a handy 2,277 runs in exactly 100 completed innings (of course). He was involved in 4 century partnerships in his 15 seasons, the highest being 140 with a teenage Angus Martyn (#416) for 3rd grade in 1983. He won two Premierships with Waratahs, both in 2nd grade, one as a young man and one as a veteran.
Bob was also a more than useful leggie with 102 wickets at 14.74 and a best of 7-30 against his former club. In fact, only Mark Charter (#515) has taken more wickets breaking them from leg with his wrist. Throw in 59 catches and a deadly throwing arm and you can see how much he offered Waratahs lower grades.
Those 15 seasons weren't played consecutively, with interuptions from teaching, a business career in furniture - selling not sitting - and his kids, one of which, Adam, became probably the finest Waratahs fieldsman of all time. Bob's last played in 1992-93, so his influence at Waratahs was sustained.
Still mad on his cricket, you'll find Bobby Barwick at the Gabba every year watching Australia go round in Tests and quoting stats to bemuse, confuse and enthuse. Great Tahs man.