Club News

20 September 1997

Glamorgan have become the County Champions of 1997, as the closest title race for many years ended at 6.15 tonight in emotional scenes at the County Ground with Glamorgan defeating Somerset by 10 wickets to pick up 24 points and the county title.

A day full of passion and fervour began with Glamorgan`s batsmen adding a further 174 runs in two hours. Hugh Morris, in what could be his final innings for the county, led the way with 165, whilst Robert Croft added a quickfire 86 and Adrian Shaw a rapid and unbeaten 53 as Glamorgan amassed 527 to give them a first innings lead of 275 over Somerset.

As Matthew Maynard led his team out after lunch, he knew that second place Kent were well on the way towards victory at Canterbury, so his bowlers had to dismiss Somerset for a second time if Glamorgan were to secure the county title. They didn`t let him down, and it was Darren Thomas, ably supported by Steve Watkin and the miserly Robert Croft, who led Glamorgan`s victory charge. The recently capped Thomas took 5-38 in 15 hostile overs and despite some late order resistance from Graham Rose and Andy Caddick,Somerset were bowled out for 285, to leave Glamorgan with a target of 11 to win in 7 overs, and all of the final day!

Amidst scenes of great excitement and joy amongst the crowd of 3,000 Welsh supporters, Hugh Morris and Steve James went out to steer the Welsh county to their third Championship success. The supporters didn`t have long to wait before toasting the club`s success, as from the 10th ball of the innings, Steve James clipped Graham Rose to the long leg boundary, and Glamorgan had won.

Hardly before the two batsmen had run off the pitch, the champagne corks were popping in the Glamorgan dressing room, and a long night of celebrations began with Matthew Maynard receiving the Championship trophy and a cheque for £70,000. "A lot of things have been said about us recently", said the victorious Glamorgan captain. "Some people said we were second rate, and I think we have proved them all wrong. I don`t think it spurred us on because there was plenty of motivation in the side, but it gave the guys an extra focus."

"We`ve all grown up together", said Robert Croft , "and we`ve all been through the bad times as well. Now we`re giving something back to each other and giving something as well to the nation of Wales."