Preamble: According to the Waratahs Rugby Football Club Player Register 1959-1995 there were fewer teams and fewer rounds in the 1st XV, 1969 season. The season commenced on 26 April 1969 and the last round for Waratahs was played on 16 August 1969 against Army (11th round). Jim Lenehan coached. The following clubs participated: Army, Cootamundra, Wagga Agricultural College, Wagga City, Waratahs. Wagga City Rugby Club were the 1st XV Premiers (Byrnes Cup). The Waratahs 1st XV would have to wait until 1977 for their next premiership.

In the 2nd XV competition, the following clubs participated: Albury, Army, Cootamundra, Griffith, Wagga Agricultural College, Wagga City, Waratahs. The season for Waratahs 2nd XV also ended on 16 August, according to club records. Wagga Agricultural College were the 2nd XV Premiers (David Jones Shield).

The photo of players from 1959-1969 was taken at the 2018, 60th (Sapphire Jubilee) reunion courtesy of Rachael Lenehan Photography.  Back: Marion Cook, Tate Heggaton, Mark Gooden, Robyn Gooden, John Stewart, John O’Brien, Lyn Stewart.  Front: Pip Wood, Colin Wood, Sue Heggaton, Janet Millard, Sally O’Brien.

After 10 years at the helm, Edward Dudley Taylor (Dud), Waratahs inaugural President, stepped down from the role at the conclusion of 1968. His principles of sportsmanship and the spirit of rugby are evident in the club’s culture to this day. Dud’s contribution to the Club was acknowledged when he was inducted as the Club’s first Life Member. Dud was born in 1908 and died in 2003. 

1969 welcomed a new player Peter Cripps, a front rower, along with other players in the hope that the club could start to rebuild due to the loss of many of the original players.

Waratahs missed the tactical prowess of the retired Jim Lenehan and the brilliance of Beres Ellwood when Agricultural College outplayed them in their first match of the season, 31-11. Scoring ten tries Aggies wiped the ground with Tahs.

Army scored seven tries to none in soundly defeating Waratahs 28-3. The forwards were fairly evenly matched but the big difference was in the backs. In spite of the score Waratahs were not disgraced. The game could have developed into a humiliation had not Waratahs had a wisp of a five-eighth in Alan Isaac.⁵⁵ Seventeen year old Isaac, on holidays from Onslow College, Wellington, scored Waratahs only points with a 30 yard field goal.

Waratahs held their own in the forwards until near the end. When the gnarled figure of Luxton Walker took the field as a replacement in the first spell, Waratahs forwards established superiority. ⁵⁶ He skilfully retrieved the ball from rucks, lineouts and scrums. Mick Millard scored the only try when Dave Dosser, who was their best player, put him over. Beres Ellwood played consistently.

In a game which was won in the last four minutes, Griffith came up the winners 23-20 in one of the best games of club rugby seen for a long time.

Waratahs defeated Aggies 19-3 with a resounding win. They were much improved with their forwards dominating the game and the backs played far better than they had been. Within the first ten minutes Waratahs were 11 points in front and they virtually had the game.

The 9-6 loss to Aggies in June made it difficult for Waratahs to secure a place in the battle for the premiership. Each time Bill Heffernan had the ball he ran with it and kicked for touch. His excellent defensive play combined with his good attacking movements undoubtedly helped the team to keep the score down as low as nine points to six. ⁵⁷

In the clash with Wagga City, Tahs suffered another loss. Within the first ten minutes of play Vern Kurrle left the field with a long, deep gash in the back of his head. Waratahs had most of the ball during the first half but City returned for the second half a different team.

Typical July weather turned the middle of the ground into a quagmire from the previous game when Waratahs played premiers, Army. Waratahs could not handle the muddy conditions and the stronger Army backs were able to make more ground with the ball. They were unable to match Army in size or stamina. The combination of Beres Ellwood and Bill Hayes was devastating at times, but they lacked support. 

Waratahs suffered the most humiliating loss in their history when they were again defeated by Wagga City 44-0. They had less than half of their first choice team playing and this underscored the lack of depth in the club. There were redeeming features in the Waratahs performance. Breakaway Dave Dosser was a bundle of fire throughout and bearded second rower Mick Millard emerged through one lineout rather like a bustling figure from the pages of the Old Testament, and threatened to split the defence.⁵⁸

Army 31-6 walloped Waratahs who were at the bottom of the ladder and had no chance of competing in the finals. When Luxton Walker took to the field his skill boosted the side for a time. In the second half John Kendall and John Rodham left the field and Waratahs finished the match with 13 players.

Cootamundra 11 defeated Waratahs 5 and ended their season. For the first time ever they would not be in the finals. 

The retirement of several key players in the Waratahs side at the end of 1968 left gaping holes in the talent of the team. John and Luxton Walker retired, as did Jim Lenehan although he continued as coach. Beres Ellwood continued to play this year but missed his affinity with Lenehan. It was obvious almost from the club’s conception that Jim Lenehan with his tactics, and Beres Ellwood with his organisational skills, were the vital components in the team’s success. They were supported by a talented group of players several whom represented in Riverina and Country teams. On the occasions when Lenehan and Ellwood were unable to play the team lacked confidence and direction. The combination of Ellwood and Lenehan had ma Waratahs a difficult team to overcome and their loss was inestimable.

Several of the players of long standing were still active including Mick Millard, John Stewart, Dave Dosser, Mark Gooden and Beres Ellwood.

However, this year the club reached the crucial stage and, unless some effort was made to rebuild strength and depth, then the club’s future was in jeopardy. From 1969 until late in the 1970s the continuation of Waratahs as a club was often in doubt. They did not win another grand final until 1977 and there were occasions when the club almost folded. However, with a dedicated core of players and supporters – including Lyndon Taylor, Murray Wilkinson, Warwick Grant, Ray de la Motte, David Pyke, Steve Donelan, Paton, Bob Jacka and Vern Kurrle – the club gradually turned their fortunes around and once again made it into a force to be reckoned with.

But the next decade was a lean and difficult one for Waratahs.

Comment from Mick Millard:
I had a lot of fun playing with a young Riverina team in 1969 and getting them believing in themselves was never big enough or fast enough to play international rugby. Please let that MYTH die. ⁵⁹

Players with the highest number of points scored in 1969:
Beres Ellwood, John Kendall, John O’Brien, Bill Hayes, Jim Stewart, John Stewart, Vern Kurrle, Mick Millard.

1st XV Team:
Brian Boyton, Peter Cripps, David Dosser, Beres Ellwood, Bill Hayes, Bill Heffernan, Alan Isaac, John Kendall, Vern Kurrle, Kevin Maloney, Mick Millard, John O’Brien, Justin O’Brien, Phil Perkins, John Rodham, Denis Mootz, John Small, Jim Stewart, John Stewart, Luxton Walker.

RESERVE GRADE
As usual there were few reports concerning reserve grade. However, one game early in the season stood out when Agricultural College 47 decimated Waratahs 0. Cootamundra also defeated Waratahs 6-3.

As usual there were few reports concerning reserve grade. However, one game early in the season stood out when Agricultural College 47 decimated Waratahs 0. Cootamundra also defeated Waratahs 6-3.

In 1969 Jim Lenehan paid a tribute to Dudley Taylor, the ‘president of ten years.’ He pointed out that Dudley was the very first chairman at the meeting when the Waratahs were formed in 1959. Dud Taylor was indeed the rock on which the Waratahs had made this progress in the first ten years. In a moving speech, Jim concluded by nominating that a life membership should be conferred on Dud Taylor by the Waratahs. This was supported by Mick Millard and unanimously carried.’

Source: A History of the Wagga Wagga Waratahs’ Rugby Club 1959 – 2015
^{55, 56, 57 Simon Burnett, The Daily Advertiser 19 May 1969, 26 May 1969 & 28 June 1969
58 Simon Burnett, The Daily Advertiser 4 August 1969
59 Mick Millard’s private papers
The Wagga Wagga Waratahs Rugby Club Players Register 1959-1995}

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