Newton Aycliffe Cricket Club’s 1st team, sponsored by Franks the Flooring Store, were looking set for victory away at Yarm 1st XI in the NYSD 2nd division when rain brought proceedings to a halt with the homeside still 114 runs short of their victory target.
Aycliffe scored an impregnable 237 for 9 from their 50 overs with major contributions coming from in-form Michael Howe (sponsored by Keziah Benson Photography), who smashed his third half century of the season, finishing on 65, Luke Telford with a season’s best 55 and 38 runs from Mark Woodhead.
Yarm were struggling at 124 for 5 after 33 overs, when the umpires called a premature end to the game because of the inclement weather.
The second team had a thrilling draw at home to promotion hopefuls Thornaby 2nd XI in the NYSD 3rd division. Asked to bat first Aycliffe scored 145 all out after 47 overs thanks to good innings from Sean Morgan (44 runs), James Layfield-Carroll (21 runs) and 19 runs from Dan Craggs.
The visitors innings was reduced to 29 overs due to stoppages for rain but still appeared to be coasting to victory when they raced to 54 without loss after just 8 overs. However there was a great fightback by the four pronged bowling attack of George Slatcher (3 for 26), James layfield-Carroll (3 for 39), Sean Morgan (1 for 31) and 13 year old Lucas Pilling (2 for 46) and with support from Elliott Holt, who equalled the club record when he held four brilliant catches, Aycliffe almost won the game, but the visitors held on for a draw at 142 for 9 at the close of play.
In mid week, the first team, playing in coloured clothing which was sponsored by Vanila Design & Print, had an excellent 20 run win at home against Darlington RA in the NYSD 15/15 competition.
After being put into bat first, Aycliffe were in deep trouble at 30 for 5, but a brilliant innings by Michael Howe, who finished unbeaten on 84 from 44 balls faced, including 12 boundaries and two huge sixes and 23 runs from Graham Telford helped the home team to 131 for 6 from their 15 overs.
Captain Luke Telford bowled superbly finishing with 4 for 9 from his three overs as Aycliffe restricted the visitors to 111 for 9 from their allotted 15 overs.
The club’s newly formed u19’s team played their first ever game away at Hartlepool in the Durham Nat West u19’s blast and were defeated by 67 runs. The homeside were asked to bat first and scored 139 for 8 in 20 overs with both captain Patrick Howe (3-14) and Tom Wickins (3-25) bowling well for Aycliffe. In reply, the visitors were dismissed for 72 after 15.5 overs with only Arran Taylor (20 runs) and Dan Bowmer (16 runs) managing double figures.
An inexperienced u13’s team containing six u11’s, played really well but still lost by 28 runs at home to unbeaten Wolviston in the NYACC league.
Wolviston batted first and scored 108 for 4 in 20 overs with Iain Robson the pick of the Aycliffe bowlers taking two wickets for nine runs. Aycliffe were restricted to 80 for 7 from 20 overs with captain Joe Bowsher continuing his good form, scoring 19 runs from 29 balls.