1953-54

NOTABLE DEBUTS: Doug Johnstone
NOTABLE LOSSES: Norm Buckley, Bob Harding & Tony Horodam

Playing like Premiers, the first competition was definitely one that got away. Starting with a 75 run thrashing of Easts, they took this good form out to the university where they failed by just three runs to beat the strong UNE side outright despite rolling them for just 86 on the first Saturday. The next two matches produced compelling outright victories over DLSC and the always difficult Uralla. Against the students, Bob Howe took eleven wickets and scored runs in both innings and in the Uralla match, Walter Taylor was kept under twenty twice as Waratahs racked up 286, including half centuries to Fred Skillicorn, Don Paul and Ross Ridley and Paul took seven wickets in his return.

In first place and even with the powerful Wests to play, it would be reasonable to think that runs on the board would be enough. In this case, more than enough because as the last wicket fell in the shadow of stumps, Waratahs had 408 on the board thanks to some outstanding batting by Skillicorn, Paul, Howe, Hodge and Alan Gray on the flat West Armidale pitch. Skillicorn became the first century maker for Waratahs, scoring 101 in what must have been a large partnership with Don Paul, who made 96. Unfortunately, the pitch was just as flat on the second day and only eight wickets could be won from Wests in a total of 315. Meanwhile, Uralla were busy capitulating to Unviversity by an innings, giving the clever fellas the competition.

This was particularly gauling having flogged them in early October.

The second competition started with three losses and draw, carrying them through to February. Against Easts, 238 should have been enough, thanks to Skillicorn (70), Hodge (59) and Ridley (55). Bob Howe took five wickets but Dick Stewart (64) lead Easts to 260. Straiight after Christmas and batting first on a wet deck, Waratahs collapsed against Uralla for only 79 and were some hope but for an inspired 73 by Walter Taylor, when no one else could make double figure for Uralla, mainly thanks to a classy spell from Skillicorn, who kept making a habit of having an impact with either bat or ball. Against Wests, they were chasing two hundred plus, Skillicorn again staring with six wickets. The chase saw many get runs, just not enough. Their best result in two months came with a draw against, although the rain got the assist in the result, The veteran Dick Stewart scored 112 or Easts 229, Snell taking four. Waratahs were 1-70 at stumps with Ridley (40) and Gray (25) well under way in the chase.

As February changed to March, Uralla, who had earlier cost Waratahs a premiership, retunred the favour and collpased twice for fifty odd and despite only scoring 99, Waratahs won by ten wickets. Cooper (6-27) and Hodge (49) were the stars. Hodge's effort on a drying track on day one was outstanding.

Buoyed by the trouncing of Uralla, Waratahs finished the season with another big total against Wests. This time it was an unknown, Flanagan (71) who led the way, batting at four. Laurie Cooper (49) cut loose in the middle order with a typically aggressive attack. Wests were 2-67 overnight and Wally Miller kept his good start going the next Saturday, scoring 75. Skillicon led the mop up and the season finished with a win by more than a hundred.

Ross Ridley (379) led the run scorers but Fred Skillicorn (370 & 52.86) had the best batting average. Ian Hodge (288) and Alan Gray (258) were the other major batting contributors. Skillicorn (29 & 14.24) won both the bowling honours but Laurie Cooper (27) and Vic Snell (24) were constistent with the ball, as always. Bobe Howe (18) took good wickets with limited appearances. Alan Gray, as usual, led the catchers with 8.