November 1963 - Armidale Cricket hits the century

DRESSED in period costume with flowing beards to match, cricketers came together in November, 1963, to mark the centenary of Armidale.

Probably for the first time in its long history in New England cricket, West Armidale Park was ringed with cars for the centenary match between Veterans and Colts.

New England Cricket Association president R Farrell and Armidale mayor I S Dickinson were led to the match by horses and sulky.

“The weather was ideal, the cricket bright and the atmosphere was befitting of such an occasion,” The Express reported.

Crowds flocked to the grounds early as the veteran players pulled on their colourful attire and beards to match.

Mayor Dickinson officially opened proceedings by bowling an over to NECA patron and former champion batsman C W Taylor.

“He Worship, after spraying the first couple of deliveries, dropped into a length, but Mr Taylor, batting in the style that in one season took him through a whole season for only two dismissals, played another of the clinically perfect not-out innings,” The Express reported.

As the game got underway, Veterans competed with all the vigour that had them dominating the competition in their more youthful years.

Despite that, the side were all out for 282 runs, just shy of Colts eventual total of 335.

“Other youngsters consolidated the impression that the game, the foundation of which in New England were so well laid by the pioneers, would continue to flourish at least well into the next centenary period,” The Express reported.

YOUNG GUNS: The triumphant Colts side who beat the Veterans team in the 1963 cricket match.

ALL DRESSED UP: The Veterans 11 which played Colts at West Armidale Park in November 1963.

Our best attempts - we'd love to know the names of other players

Colts team

1 - Ray Blair

2 - Dick Mills

3 - Mark McCann

4 - John Fuller