In July 1893 Frank Hughes received what all young cricketers in South Wales must have dreamt about – a late call-up to play in the Welsh county’s side. The match in question was the Minor County friendly against Herefordshire at the Arms Park with the message coming via his good friend and business partner Sidney Sweet-Escott with whom he shared a solicitors practice near to the Cardiff ground. Sweet-Escott was a member of the Glamorgan side who found themselves one man short, but the call to his chum did not lead to a glittering debut as Frank was dismissed for nought in what proved to his only innings in county cricket.
The son of a solicitor based in Maidstone, Frank had been educated at Tonbridge School, before reading Law at Oxford University, and continuing his training in South Wales. He had been a decent schoolboy cricket, appearing for the Mote Club on several occasions in their major matches against the MCC and the Royal Engineers. He was limited to college cricket at Oxford, before joining the Cardiff and Fairwater clubs following his move to South Wales, allowing the trainee solicitor to mix and mingle with the great and good of local society.
He later bought a property in Penarth and made a few appearances for the seaside town’s club, but by the time the 1901 Census was taken, Frank had returned to Kent to run his family’s solicitors practice.
HUGHES, Francis Edward.
Born – Maidstone, 19 December 1860.
Died – Maidstone, 4 June 1914.
Batting and Fielding Record
| M | I | NO | RUNS | AV | 100 | 50 | CT | ST | |
| MC Friendly | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | – | – | – | – | – |