1976/77: B Grade Two Day Runners Up

Notable Gains: Rene Mullen, Steve Reading, Graham Frost, Bob Barwick (returning)
Notable losses: Tom Cooke, John Donnelly, Allan Thompson

Three body blows to the A Grade side where dealt with the depart of Cooke, Donnelly and Thompson. Tom Cooke is arguably the finest bowler to play A Grade with Waratahs, with Brian Joice a close rival fro that title. Making his debut in the 1967-68 season, he took 383 wickets, with only 11 of those coming in a-Reserves. He was the premier fast bowler in New England during that time and captain the A-Grade for several seasons in the late 1960's. He was named in the Waratahs Best Twelve in 2010 and is the vice captain of that side.

John Donnelly joined Waratahs in 1970-71 and captured 161 scalps, all but two of which in A Grade. He could run through an opposition batting line up and formed a deadly combination with Cooke and Joice in a feared fast attack. Allan Thompson joined the club in the A Grade Premiership year of 1971-72 and captained the  side for two seasons in the mid 1970's. He scored more than 1500 runs but never broke through for an A Grade century, despite scoring one in the Reserves. For several seasons, he headed the batting aggregates at a time when Graham Johnson and Brian Connolly were at their prime.

On the positive side of the ledger, Graham Frost joined the club as a junior playing in B Grade. He would go on to be one of the club's finest, particularly as he was a home grow product. Rene Mullen, by this stage in his declining cricket years, bought a sense of fun to the A Grade side and a high level of competitiveness. A Graders were much happier having him play with them than against. Steve Reading would be another long term servant of the club, across a number of grades and his expertise in wicket preparation would ensure good tracks for years to come.