The Twelfth Man 2013

11 A Local World Record by Norman Hazell David W.Perrin, a friend of the Editor, who was born in Castleford in 1940 and was an outstanding all-round sportsman, excelled himself on 20 April 1969, appearing for the Yorkshire Copper Works in a Yorkshire Council (Pontefract Section) League match at Ackworth, a renowned Club, who can trace their history back to 1864. It is interesting to note that both Geoffrey Boycott and Graham Stevenson, who share the record last wicket stand for Yorkshire, took their first steps in ‘grown-up’ cricket playing for Ackworth. It was the first match of the season, Ackworth won the toss and chose to bat on a slow pitch, making a steady start and it was the twelfth over before they lost a wicket – caught Perrin, bowled Lupton. David Perrin, I should point out loved to field at silly-mid-on, just three yards from the batsman. His agility was legendary, for in the winter he was an excellent goalkeeper. The score slowly reached 48 for three, before David took his second and third catches and after a pause he added four more. George, who was one of his victims, told me recently he could still clearly recall the events of that day. “I turned the ball to leg in what seemed to be quite safe, yet David swooped to take the catch. On that day, he put up an amazing display.” Ackworth were dismissed for 55, but the Y.C.W. batsmen really struggled, David who was a sound No.5 batsman was out for a ‘duck’ to his nemesis: George and Alan Kilvington, a renowned left arm swing bowler, proved to be virtually unplayable. In his first 14 overs he took two wickets for just 2 runs. Eventually Y.C.W. scraped together their target, but it took 40 overs, losing seven wickets in the process. David left his job at the Copper Works, moving to Falmouth in Cornwall with his family opening a Restaurant. Taking up Bowls, he became Champion of the county and South West, and reached the quarter- final of the British Open. A truly great, happy man, all his friends were devast- ated to learn of his death, faced so bravely, on 15 February 2012. His local ‘World Record’ of seven catches will remain strong in our memory. David Perrin (left) with the Twelfth Man Editor during their playing days