Forget Chesney, Clinton’s The One and Only
CHESNEY Hawkes had a number one hit in the 1990s called ‘I am the one and only.’
Greenmount had a professional called Chesney Hughes.
But please make no mistake, Littleborough have the one and only – and his name is Clinton Perren.
By far the best bat in both leagues, he plays for the club he loves, a club he has served admirably for over 20 years and guess what? He plays for free. A very admirable trait.
The clash was a credit to both sides and on behalf of Littleborough CC I would like to thank Greenmount CC for their hospitality and organisation of the game, it was a pleasure to be a part of.
Littleborough and Greenmount are two very much needed additions to the ever ageing Lancashire League.
Two examples of how far they have fallen behind modern society.
Example one: I umpired Church 3rd XI v Littleborough 3rd XI on Saturday. The bar only opens there when there is a first team game, not for seconds, not for thirds, not for training, not for juniors, not for me and any other like minded cricket lover. The mind boggles.
Example two: Greenmount played their part in an epic game and narrowly missed out by just five balls. Their reward? Nil points.
Church lost a very similar game against Rawtenstall. Their reward? Seven points!!!
Littleborough actually won at the weekend and their reward was a meagre three points more with 10 for winning. It’s a points system that is as old and as dated as most of the grounds I have visited this year.
Do the Lancashire League want to move forward? I doubt it. Anyway I digress. Today was not a day for the bowlers. Travis Townsend lost his 30th toss of the season as Greenmount elected to bat on a batsman friendly wicket. Runs flowed freely as Miskella failed to lead from the front. Wilman toiled and dug in but it was hard work for all bowlers. Chesney Hughes meanwhile was making hay whilst the sun shone as he helped himself to 133 off 114 balls. He gave one difficult chance to young Perren whilst on 68.
If I am being hyper critical, in hindsight he went too early, teeing off with six overs left and was dismissed by our one and only Clinton Perren, who later in the day showed Chesney how to time an innings. Greenmount huffed and puffed and got to 283/9.
Littleborough’s only faux pas was not to bowl the opposition out (poorest in the top five for bowling points and something that needs to be put right for next season’s promotion challenge).
Lets get something straight, if Littleborough batted first and 283 was on the board, I would have taken it. Off we set peaceful enough before Pye glided one into the second one and only’s hands – Zac – at slip, 19/1.
Dad meets lad at the crease and I will hold my hand up here, I got it wrong, I thought Zac was guilty of not rotating the strike often enough but I am sure Dad uttered the immortal words ‘Don’t worry son, you are doing fine, just keep batting’ Thats why Clint is the one and only.
And here is the proof in the pudding as they put on a match winning partnership of 160 for the second wicket. Take a bow Zac Perren. 179/2 with 15 left. Disaster then struck as Travis Townsend gifted a caught and bowled to his opposite number 180/3.
105 were now needed off 14.
Now this next passage of play will bring warmth to the hearts of any volunteer junior coaches who have given up their time to support the clubs they have grown up with an love.
It’s also a big two fingers up to the clubs who quite obviously pay players (sue me).
Anyway, Messrs Miskella and Hernon joined the one and only and chased the 105 down that was needed.
Miskella hit 34 off 29 adding 53 with the one and only before Hernon smashed 27 off just 13 adding another 53 with THE ONE AND ONLY
Make no mistake Clinton Perren was absolutely outstanding, hitting a masterful 124no off just 108 balls. A pleasure to watch.
Littleborough have just missed out this time, they will hammer Accrington this weekend and when they do they will have beaten every team in the league.
I have not seen a better team in this league, but my comments don’t win leagues.
Me and my family and friends were very proud to watch a team of local lads for Littleborough do so well. It was a privilege to watch.
Congratulations to Haslingden and whoever goes up with them.
Greenmount J Harrison c Barnes b Unsworth ................. 33 CF Hughes c Nash b CT Perren .................133 AP Kerr st Hernon b Unsworth ................... 16 T Heaton c Williamson b Barnes ................ 34 E Williams c and b CT Perren ....................... 18 L Dove c Hernon b CT Perren ......................... 9 R Senior c Unsworth b Willman ................. 13 MJ Donnelly c CT Perren b Willman ............ 3 A Mcguinness not out ...................................... 5 C Hunter c Nash b CT Perren .......................... 1 K Edwards not out ............................................... 0 Extras (4 lb, 14 w) .............................................. 18 Total (9 wickets 50 overs) ............................283 Fall of wickets: 1-54 (Harrison), 2-109 (Kerr), 3-164 (Heaton), 4-212 ( Williams), 5-244 (Dove), 6-260 (Hughes), 7-265 (Donnelly), 8-275 (Senior), 9-282 (Hunter) Bowling: Willman 14 1 78 2 Miskella 4 0 32 0, Unsworth 8 0 47 2, Townsend 7 1 26 0, CT Perren 13 0 71 4, Barnes 4 0 25 1 Littleborough ZD Perren c Donnelly b Hunter .................. 79 TJ Pye c Hughes b Williams ............................. 6 CT Perren not out ...........................................124 TKM Townsend c and b Hughes ................... 0 RPJ Miskella b Hughes .................................... 34 M Hernon not out ............................................ 27 Extras (3 lb, 13 w) .............................................. 16 Total (4 wickets, 49.1 overs)........................286 Fall of wickets: 1-19 (Pye), 2-179 (ZD Perren), 3-180 ( Townsend), 4-233 (Miskella) Bowling: Hunter 14 1 61 1, Williams 8 0 39 1, Dove 8 0 53 0, Hughes 13 0 71 2, Edwards 3 0 25 0, Mcguinness 3.1 0 34 0