Newton Aycliffe’s 1st team, sponsored by Franks the Flooring Store, won a cracking game by just one wicket at home to Great Ayton 2nd XI on Saturday 26th July in the NYSD 3rd division. Aycliffe won the toss, chose to bowl first and the decision looked to be the right one as the visitors were dismissed for just 114 after 32.3 overs. Sixteen year old fast bowler Will Dearden was again the pick of the young Aycliffe attack, finishing with his career best first team figures of 4 for 16 from his hostile six over spell. Opening bowler Leo Mercy also deserves credit, finishing with 3 for 30 from his lengthy ten over spell, as does spinner Matty Greaves, who chipped in with 2 for 17 to help mop up the tail. In reply, Jai Sander (17 off 40 balls), Chris Palmer (17 off 12 balls), Tom Dearden (16 off 34 balls) and Will Dearden (14 off 11 balls), all batted well, but still Aycliffe regularly lost wickets throughout their innings. In a tense finale, and with the last wicket pair at the crease, it was left to Ramzan Hussain (10 not out off 9 balls) to smash a huge six to take his side to a memorable victory by the closest of margins after 24.3 overs.
On Saturday 2nd August Aycliffe’s first team hung on for a draw away at Sedgefield 2nd XI after the tenth wicket pair of Matty Greaves (7 not out) and Leo Mercy (0 not out) safely survived the last 13 balls of the game in another tense finale. Chasing an improbable victory target of 250, Aycliffe’s prolific opening pair of Tez Smit and Tom Dearden got their team off to a flyer, putting on 132 for the first wicket after just 22 overs. Dearden was first to be dismissed for an excellent 60 off 69 balls including 11 boundaries and a six. Smit batted on superbly and was eventually dismissed for his seasonal best score of 88 off 102 balls and he reached the boundary on 13 occasions.
On Saturday 9th August, Aycliffe’s first team were humbled by nine wickets at home to relegation threatened Normanby Hall 2nd XI. Asked to bat first, Aycliffe posted a well below par 143 all out with more than ten of their allotted 40 overs not used. Captain Chris Palmer top scored with 28 off 29 balls, Adam Shaw (sponsored by Ian Hatty Hannant) also batted well with a first team best of 27 runs off 24 balls, including four boundaries and a six. The visitors coasted to an easy victory after 27.4 overs with Ramzan Hussain taking the only wicket to fall. Aycliffe now sit in fifth place in the NYSD third division table with 224 points from 16 games played.
The young Aycliffe 2nd team lost by six wickets at home to a very experienced Preston 1st XI on Saturday 2nd August. Aycliffe captain Dan Weldon (sponsored by Midland Structural Services) led from the front and was in excellent form, scoring his second half century of the season when he top scored with an impressive 63 off 85 balls and his innings included 11 boundaries as the homeside scored a respectable 152 for 5 from their 40 overs. Fifteen year olds, Ethan Cooper (2 for 25) and Tom Norman (1 for 10) both bowled well when the vistors replied, but couldn’t stop Preston from easing to a comfortable victory after 27 overs.
On Saturday 9th August, Aycliffe’s 2nd team put in a good performance away at promotion outsiders Skelton Castle first team, but were still beaten by 5 wickets in the NYSD 4th division. Choosing to bat first, Aycliffe found themselves in deep trouble at 19 for 5. However, a superb 6th wicket partnership of 85 between Matt French and Freddie Lawler put their side back in the game. Fourteen year old Lawler remained unbeaten on 51 off 107 balls, his first senior half century and his excellent innings included eight boundaries and Matt French also batted well scoring 39 off 83 balls with four boundaries. In reply, the visitors reached their winning target despite some good performances with the ball by Freddie Lawler and fifteen year old Ethan Cooper, who both bagged a couple of wickets apiece.
The club’s U13’s team had a tremendous win away at Bedale by seven wickets in the NYACC League. Choosing to bowl first, Aycliffe bowled and fielded brilliantly to dismiss the homeside for 110 off 19.3 overs. Carys Myers (3 for 5), Phoebe Sproat (3 for 16) and Jack Collingwood (2 for 3) were the pick of the bowlers. In reply, opener Phoebe Sproat completed a good all round performance, scoring 17 off 26 balls to get her side off to a solid start. When she was dismissed, Miles Telford took over and immediately launched into the home bowlers, hitting five boundaries and a six, before retiring on his highest score of 33 off just 19 balls. Captain Addison Jones then chipped in with an unbeaten 12 off 10 balls, including a boundary and a six to ensure her side reached their victory target after just 14.5 overs.
The club’s U11s put in their best performance of the season to win an exciting game by just five runs at home to Richmond in the NYACC League. Captain Harvey Palmer (sponsored by Claire & Andy) put in a terrific all round performance, firstly top scoring with an unbeaten 17 off 14 balls and then bowling the crucial final over to finish with 3 for 10. Nial Hadland also bowled well taking 2 for 8 from his three overs to help Aycliffe to victory.
Photo: The victorious U11’s team after their excellent win at home to Richmond.