June 7, 8 v Surrey 2nd XI at The Oval – Match Drawn
June 18, 19 v Monmouthshire at Rodney Parade, Newport – Match Drawn
July 9, 10 v Monmouthshire at St. Helen’s, Swansea – Won by 4 wickets
July 14, 15 v MCC and Ground at Cardiff Arms Park – Lost by 6 wickets
July 16, 17 v Worcestershire at Cardiff Arms Park – Lost by an innings and 114 runs
July 22, 23 v Cornwall at St. Helen’s, Swansea – Won by 233 runs
July 30, 31 v Wiltshire at Cardiff Arms Park – Won by 10 wickets
Aug 2, 3 v Surrey 2nd XI at Cardiff Arms Park – Match Drawn
Aug 13, 14 v Wiltshire at Swindon – Match Drawn
Aug 23, 24 v Worcestershire at Kidderminster – Match Drawn
Aug 27, 28 v Cornwall at Penzance – Won by 144 runs
Glamorgan’s application in September 1896 to join the newly-created Minor County Championship had been accepted so with promises of financial help from various patrons, plus the creation of the Glamorgan Cricket League for 1897, there was a mood of great optimism in the Club ahead of the new season.
They began with a pair of draws, although the friendly with Monmouthshire at Rodney Parade saw Sam Brain, Jack’s younger brother, make one of the fastest centuries ever recorded by a Glamorgan batter, and all from the unlikely position of number seven, as he raced to 113 in just 53 minutes.
The next contest ended in an innings defeat by Worcestershire at the Arms Park, but in the following game at Swansea, Glamorgan recorded their first success in the Minor County competition as they defeated Cornwall by 233 runs. The comprehensive victory was set up by some outstanding bowling, especially Sam Lowe who claimed the first- ever hat trick for the Welsh county.