1967


HAPPY 50TH ANNIVERSARY SOPHIA GARDENS


2017 is the 50th anniversary of county cricket being staged at Sophia Gardens, now The SSE SWALEC. The move by Glamorgan CCC from the Arms Park cricket ground, situated alongside the rugby stadium, for the 1967 season followed agreement to create a National Stadium in the heart of the Welsh capital.


For several years, there had been dissatisfaction with the drainage at the Arms Park’s rugby ground, with problems escalating after the 1958 Empire Games, when it staged the opening and closing ceremonies, plus the athletics events. The latter had initially been allocated to Maindy Stadium, to the north of the city centre, but concerns over size and suitability meant that the events were transferred to the Arms Park with a running track being hastily cut around the perimeter of the rugby pitch.


The pounding which the turf duly took, plus the inadequate installation of the running track, led to the surface becoming a muddy quagmire. After a series of damp winters, the state of the surface at the Arms Park became an acute embarrassment for the Welsh Rugby Union, especially when compared with the more pristine turf at Twickenham, Murrayfield and Lansdowne Road.


The plan got the green light during 1964 with the cricket ground at the Arms Park being converted into a rugby ground for Cardiff RFC, and the cricketing activities of Cardiff Athletic Club being transferred to Sophia Gardens where a series of new pitches were laid.


The new surface was tested on 21st August 1966 with a match between Cardiff Athletic Reserves and Newport Athletic Reserves. Cricket ended at the Arms Park in September 1966 and during the Autumn, seating areas


50 YEARS at Sophia Gardens


Celebrating 2017 BY ANDREW HIGNELL


were transferred from the Arms Park, whilst work began on the erection of a new pavilion at the southern end of the new ground – where the Foster’s Grandstand currently exists.


However, some delays occurred with the work and when the inaugural match took place at the ground - against the Indians starting on 24th May, 1967 - the players ate in a series of marquees alongside the shell of the new pavilion, whilst other areas of the ground still resembled a building site.


As it turned out, rain washed out the first day’s play and persistent drizzle the next morning meant a start could not be made until 3.35 p.m. The tourists won the toss and elected to bowl with Sadanand Mohol delivering the first ball to Alan Jones, but the loss of time meant that a positive outcome was unlikely.


After the Indians dismissed Glamorgan, they opted for some batting practice, with Don Shepherd claiming 4/10 in 11 typically accurate overs before the inaugural first-class match at Sophia Gardens ended in a damp draw.


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