Richard Johnson was one of the enthusiastic young men, with a professional background, who played rugby and cricket for Penarth during the 1890s. His success on the cricket field led to ten appearances for Glamorgan before the well-to-do accountant emigrated to South Africa.

The son of Townley Johnson, a well-known accountant in Penarth, who had attended Cowbridge GS before moving to work initially in the London area. Richard was born in Islington before the family moved back to South Wales, with Richard following in his father’s footsteps by securing a post with one of the thriving railway companies who served the Docks at Penarth and Cardiff. Success for Penarth CC, and a friendship with Herbie Morgan, led to his selection for Glamorgan in June 1896 for the away match with Herefordshire.

He made an unbeaten 31 and appeared in four further matches that summer before moving to London. At some stage during the subsequent months, Richard decided to emigrate to South Africa, and worked for many years as an adminisitrator for South African Railways and Harbours. He was married in Cape Town during 1911 and passed away, aged 77, at his home in Fish Hoek in the Spring of 1951.

JOHNSON, Richard Hargrave Townley. 

Born – Islington, July 1874.

Died – Fish Hoek, Cape Province, 30 April, 1951.

Batting and Fielding Record  

	M	I	NO	RUNS	AV	100	50	CT	ST
MC Friendlies	5	9	2	117	16.71	–	–	3	–

  Bowling Record  

	Balls	M	R	W	AV	5wI	10wM
MC Friendlies	185	8	141	2	79.50	–	–

Career-bests  

Minor County Friendlies – 31* v Herefordshire at Hereford, 1896 and 1/42 v Monmouthshire at Rodney Parade, Newport, 1896.