Preamble: The competition was expanded to include West Wyalong Rugby Club, bringing the number of teams to nine. The season comprised 16 Round games and commenced on the 18 April and concluded with the Grand Final on the 19 September 1964. Waratahs won 13 matches and lost three: once to Wagga City and twice to Teacher’s College. Waratahs played Army in the first and last Rounds, in the semi-final and grand final winning all four games. According to the Waratahs Rugby Football Club Players Register 1959-1995, twenty-four players donned the Waratahs jersey during the season for the 1st XV, and coincidentally, 24 players kept the 2nd XV team on the field, which also included many who played both grades. Round results for the 2nd XV indicate other clubs also participated: R.A.A.F., Yanco, Cootamundra and ‘Old Boys’; although its origins are not clear. Yanco were the 1964 David Jones Shield 2nd XV premiers.

Waratahs started 1964 season with a win over old rivals Army, after the last years defeat in the semi-finals.
Mike Fitzgerald would come up from the reserves and play well. Probably the biggest difference in this match against Army was the presence of Jim Lenehan and Beres Ellwood and also a very strong forward pack comprising L Walker, M Gooden, P Bassingthwaighte, D Heckendorf and M Millard.

Waratahs’ forwards were a difficult pack for their opposition to deal with. When Waratahs had the major share of the ball the forwards were responsible for their success. They were able to win the loose rucks and lineouts. Phil Bassingthwaighte was excellent in the lineouts.

In April Beres Ellwood left on a tour playing for The World in South Africa. He was recognised at the time to be one of the best centres in the world. Several Waratahs players were selected for Riverina for a match against Illawarra. In addition to captain-coach John Lenehan, Dave Heckendorf, Luxton Walker and John Stewart were selected in the First XV. Dave Stewart, captain (John’s brother), Mick Millard and John Walker (Luxton’s brother) were selected in the Second XV.

In his first competition game for more than a year Phil Bassingthwaighte was impressive, although lacking match practise naturally. Waratahs first defeat of the season was against City who had an impressive win. In a fiery match this defeat meant that every team in the competition had been defeated this season. In the game against Army Mike Fitzgerald, who had played in reserves the previous year, made a good debut in the backline. 

Waratahs had been joint competition leaders until they met Teachers College. The team was greatly under strength in the absence of Jim Lenehan (injured), Beres Ellwood, Phil Bassingthwaighte, Luxton Walker, Dave Heckendorf, John Stewart and Ben Purcell who were all unavailable.

Midway through the season, Richard Walker kicked five penalties and one conversion against Grifith, scoring a total of 17 of the team’s 29 points. The combination of Fred Horsley, Bob Stewart and Beres Ellwood were a deciding factor while Fred Horsley had a particularly good game.

In July Beres Ellwood tore a hamstring during a club game and missed the Wallabies match (their final appearance prior to leaving on their New Zealand tour) against NSW. He later admitted that it would probably have been better if he had not played that particular game. However, he was confident he would prove his fitness and not miss the tour. This was his and Jim Lenehan’s final match before touring New Zealand the following week.

In a close match, Teachers College defeated Waratahs, enhancing their premiership chances and moving into second place on the ladder. This was Waratahs second loss to Teachers and their third loss of the season.

In Waratahs next game against City they won 14-11. In the first few minutes of the game Mark Gooden shocked City with a try under the posts. Waratahs were trailing 11-3 at half time but clinched victory when Lloyd Ryan went over for a try towards the end of the game. Horsley had an excellent game. His tigerish play about the rucks and scrums and his kicking up kept many of the Waratahs movements going.³⁶ Beres Ellwood had just returned from his tour of New Zealand and his presence made all the difference to the team.

Minor premiers, Army, had been leading the competition until they had their second loss for the season to Waratahs. In a rematch the next week, Waratahs inflicted their third defeat on Army, guaranteeing their inclusion in the grand final. Phil Bassingthwaighte was the star of the match scoring the first try and made three of the team’s five tries. His cover play was faultless.

In the grand final Waratahs overpowered Army for the fourth time during the season and won their fifth premiership. Waratahs overall power in the forwards and their class in the backs proved too much for the fit Army side.³⁷ After being six-all at half time Waratahs raced away with the game to win by 19-6.³⁸ The premiership win was Waratahs fifth since entering the competition six years previously – a remarkable performance considering the players couldn’t train together regularly. Alderman Cecil Toy presented the Byrnes Cup to captain, Jim Lenehan.

Fullback: Jim Lenehan (c); Three Quarters: Rex Burne, Robin Ellerman, Lynton Gooden, Beres Ellwood; Halves: Bob Stewart, Fred Horsley; Forwards: Phil Bassingthwaighte, John Stewart, Mark Gooden, David Heckendorf, Mick Millard, John Walker, Ben Purcell, Luxton Walker.

Player Profiles in 1964

• Ben Purcell, the Riverina hooker, had some outstanding games.
• Mike Fitzgerald, who played in the reserves the previous year, made a good debut in the backline.
• Beres Ellwood was in great form and he was a continual threat, sidestepping around the defence.
• Phil Bassingthwaighte had a break from rugby for over a year but he was still an impressive player. His cover play was excellent.
• One of the biggest differences between Waratahs and their opponents were Beres Ellwood and Jim Lenehan. Both these players were sorely missed when they left to fulfil their international commitments.
• Brothers Luxton and John Walker played rugged and hard matches and were usually found in the middle of the rucks.
• Jim Lenehan always played a strong game with punishing cover defence and was outstanding in the backs. Many times, he got the team out of trouble with his strong kicking. He could give an exhibition of Kicking, repeatedly gaining 50 yards for the team with his tremendous kicks.
• Luxton Walker and Dave Heckendorf were outstanding in the forwards.
• Robin Ellerman in the backs had some outstanding games.
• Phil Bassingthwaighte and Mick Millard seemed to be everywhere.
• Bob Stewart worked well in the backline with Rex Burne.
• Mick Millard was an outstanding forward and was a force to be reckoned with. He was also very capable as a back, supporting John Stewart in this position.
• Fred Horsley was outstanding.
• John Stewart was man of the match with his almost faultless game.
• The combination of Fred Horsley, Bob Stewart and Beres Ellwood were often a deciding factor in a game.
• Ben Purcell, Fred Horsley and Bob Stewart also had good games.
• Phil Bassingthwaighte was again the star of the match along with John Stewart..
• Fred Horsley, Jim Lenehan and Robin Ellerman all having strong games.
• Bob Stewart, Robin Ellerman and Mark Gooden usually played well. Gooden’s tackling was excellent.

Players with the highest number of points in 1964: Corky Walker, Beres Ellwood, Bob Stewart, Rex Burne, Jim Lenehan, Mick Millard, Fred Horsley and John Walker.

Sadly, in 1964 Ivan Moses died in a bushfire and Geoff McLean died in tragic circumstances in a boat accident.

In 1964 and 1965 the annual meeting was held at the Victoria Hotel. 

Source: A History of the Wagga Wagga Waratahs’ Rugby Club 1959 – 2015
^{35 In later years, Romano’s used this photo on drink coasters.
36 The Daily Advertiser, Jim Jolley, 17 August 1964
37 The Daily Advertiser, Jim Jolley, 21 September 1964, page 17
38 The Daily Advertiser, Jim Jolley, 21 September 1964}