Preamble: The 1965 1st XV 18 Round competition commenced on the 4 April and concluded with the Grand Final on 18 September. Cootamundra joined the competition bringing the number of teams to ten.
Waratahs entered a 1st XV and a 2nd XV. Waratahs were the Byrnes Cup 1st XV winners and Wagga City the David Jones Shield 2nd XV premiers. Teacher’s College retained the Wal Blake Club Championship for the 7th consecutive season.

Twenty-four names appear in the Waratahs Rugby Football Club Player’s Register 1959-1995 as having played in the 1st XV. In addition to the names listed in the article below as having played 1st grade, the following also played at varying times throughout the season: Rick Bull, Dick Walker, John Bull and Ashley Ellerman. Twenty-one are listed in the 2nd XV, many of whom also played in the 1st XV. Other players include *Vernon Kurrle, Hugh Dodwell, Garth Strong, R Lamont, Colin Day, Jack Dennis, Rel Heckendorf, Bruce Hays, John O’Brien, Ken Slade, Greg Hays, B Lyons and David Beazley. John O’Brien and Hugh Dodwell continue to attend games held in Wagga Wagga.

*Vernon Kurrle was the Club President 1976 – 1977 and is Life Member No. 4, conferred in 1984.
Source: Waratahs Rugby Club records.

Waratahs started in 1965 season with a win over City but the biggest win was the arrival of Roger Griffiths a breakaway from the Manly club in Sydney. He soon has a reputation of being tough and vigorous on the field which all opposing teams felt to their disadvantage. But in contrast he was a quiet personality off the field. Jim Whitehouse also joined the Waratahs. He could cover all positions in the outside backs. Another to join was David Glastonbury, a work mate of Dick Walkers. Bill Heffernan would also turn out for the Waratahs on the wing. He would show a lot of pace which enabled him to get many tries, but he could have scored even more if he hadn’t dropped the ball.

Cootamundra would come into the competition and Phil Bassingthwaighte and Tate Heggaton would turn out with them joining with Phil’s brother Gerald. Cootamundra were instantly competitive as a new club. John Kendall came home from school and became a number eight. Jim Lenehan and Beres Ellwood both played two tests against South Africa.

For their first few games Waratahs did not have a try scored against them. Although they defeated City 25-6, they had to fight all the way to win. Beres Ellwood had an outstanding game, featuring in most of the team’s tries and kicking two goals and a penalty goal. Rex Burne scored two tries. Other players of note were Jim Lenehan, Mike Osier, Roger Griffiths, John Stewart, Luxton Walker and Dave Heckendorf, Ben Purcell, Jim Lenehan, Rex Burne, Bill Heffernan and John Walker.

In April almost half the team selected to play at Country Week comprised Waratahs players: J. Lemehan (Captain), R. Burne, B. Ellwood, R. Griffiths, D. Heckendorf, L. Walker, D. Pollock, J. Walker and J. Stewart. 

In a tough game against Ag College David Glastonbury left the field with a suspected fractured ankle and Col Wood was knocked out in a scrimmage.

No player passed Jim Lenehan in defence in their 17-3 victory over Army while Beres Ell wood scored allof Waratahs 17 points. In his next game Beres scored 14 points, putting his tally for the two matches at 31 points. 

With their defeat of West Wyalong, Waratahs became outright leaders of the competition.

For the second time Waratahs were defeated by Teacher’s College. Beres Ellwood and Jim Lenehan were missed and the team appeared to lack confidence. In addition they lost Rex Burne through injury and John Walker succumbed to the referee’s decision. 

Waratahs defeated Army 20-9 in a tough semi-final. The forwards were evenly matched and Amy concentrated on containing Beres Ellwood and Mike Osier. Waratahs gradually gained more control and Army found it difficult to penetrate their defence.

Waratahs won their second successive premiership 16-0, constantly keeping Ag College on the defensive. From the outset Waratahs went on the attack. The forwards combined with an understanding that comes only from experience to dominate the scrums, the lineouts and the rucks and paved the way for a Waratah victory. 

Jim Lenehan was the best on the field for the day, with his controlled kicking and scoring two tries. Luxton Walker, Roger Grifiths, David Heckendorf, John Stewart, Mark Gooden and John Walker played well. Fred Horsley and Mike Ogier played well, Bill Heffernan showed good form and Beres Ellwood was outstanding.

Players with the highest number of points in 1965: Beres Ellwood, Col Wood, Mike Ogier, Rex Burne, Roger Griffiths, Robin Ellerman, Bill Heffernan 

1st XV Team comprised Rex Burne, Robin Ellerman, Beres Ellwood, David Glastonbury, Mark Gooden, Roger Griffiths, Dave Heckendorf, Bill Heffernan, Fred Horsley, John Kendall, Jim Lenehan, Mick Millard, Mike Ogier, Dave Pollock, Lloyd Ryan, John Stewart, Jim Whitehouse, Luxton Walker, Col Wood, John Walker.

Source: A History of the Wagga Wagga Waratahs’ Rugby Club 1959 – 2015
^{39 The Daily Advertiser, Bernard Shirley, 1965
41 Photos courtesy of The Daily Advertiser}