The Rev. Hanmer Griffith, the Vicar of Cadoxton from 1837 until 1875 was an advocate of Muscular Christianity and in 1863, at the age of 50, he went on the South Wales Cricket Club’s London tour during which he opened the bowling EM Grace at Lord’s, besides claiming seven wickets in the match against Wimbledon CC.
Born in North Wales and raised in Breconshire, he was the second son of Rev. Charles Griffith, the vicar of Brecon. David attended Jesus College, Oxford before becoming ordained and becoming vicar of Cadoxton-juxta-Neath. He duly encouraged his parishoners to take part in healthy recreation and from the early 1850s forged a close friendship with JTD Llewelyn, the son of John Llewelyn of Penllergaer House. With Rev. Griffith’s encouragement, JTD formed Cadoxton CC during 1863 and, despite being in his fifties, the vicar duly took part in many of their games.
He had been a decent bowler in his youth in college cricket whilst at Oxford and in 1862 he showed that he had lost any of his abilities on the cricket field by claiming nine wickets in Breconshire’s match against Monmouthshire at Brecon. Rev. Griffith took five wickets in the first innings and four in the second, besides scoring 8 and 13 as Breconshire won by 102 runs.
In 1863 Rev. Griffith went on the South Wales Cricket Club’s London tour and made his debut at The Oval against Surrey Club and Ground. He went wicketless in the match and only scored a single but he met with more success against Wimbledon CC where, bowling in tandem with JTD, he claimed seven wickets with the first six all clean bowled.
He then featured in the Club’s innings victory against the MCC at Lord’s and opened the bowling with EM Grace. However, he only bowled four overs when MCC batted for the first time and none when they followed on, suggesting that he might have been injured during his first – and only – stint on the hallowed turf.
Rev. Griffith had married Mary Bodvell Lewis in Caernarvon during November 1836. The couple had thirteen children, plus another who sadly was stillborn. He also served as a Justice of the Peace for Breconshire and Glamorgan.
GRIFFITH, Rev. David Hanmer
Born – Caernarvon, 14 January 1813.
Died – Cadoxton-juxta-Neath, 11 May 1875.