Newton Aycliffe Cricket Club’s 1st team, sponsored by Franks the Flooring Store, produced arguably the result of the day in the NYSD 2nd division when they defeated runaway leaders Marton 2nd XI at home by seven wickets. Electing to change recent tactics and bowl first proved to be a wise decision by Aycliffe captain Adam Randall as his side proceeded to bowl out the visitors for just 152 after 37 overs. Jack Slatcher (sponsored by Tina and Dean Greaves) was the pick of the bowlers finishing with 3 for 19 and he was supported well by brother George (2 for 26) and James Layfield-Carroll (2 for 35). In reply, Aycliffe opener Joe Haines battled hard against two quality opening bowlers to carry his bat and score a seasonal best 49 not out from 111 balls and he hit nine boundaries. In-form Adam Randall also batted well scoring a robust 40 from 39 balls and his innings included seven boundaries and a six. Once Randall was dismissed, Jack Slatcher continued the good work finishing with 30 not out off 39 balls and his innings included seven boundaries as Aycliffe reached their winning target of 153 from 37.1 overs and with seven wickets in hand.

The Second team put in a decent performance away to Preston 1st XI in the NYSD 4th division, but still came away with a five wicket defeat. Aycliffe were asked to bat first on a tricky wicket and after a dreadful start, when they found themselves two wickets down without a run on the board, they recovered well to score a respectable 143 all out from 39.1 overs. 15 year old Leo Mercy (sponsored by Joint Design Direction) top scored with an excellent career best 35 from 37 balls and he hit five boundaries. Also amongst the runs was 15 year old Owen Smith, who scored 27 off 45 balls and Matty French (22 off 65 balls). In reply, a couple of wickets each for both Ryan Patrick (2 for 12) and Matty Greaves (2 for 32) were not quite enough to stop Preston reaching their victory target with five wickets and 5.3 overs in hand.

The U15’s hosted Darlington in the NYACC league and recorded an historic first ever win over them when they comfortably came out on top by seven wickets. The visitors chose to bat first and scored 108 for 5 in their allotted 20 overs. Will Dearden (2 for 12) and Harrison Pearson (2 for 20) both bowled well for Aycliffe. In reply, the homeside openers quickly got after the Darlington bowlers putting on 75 for the first wicket before captain Owen Smith was dismissed for a typically robust 41 off just 33 balls faced and he hit six boundaries. Two more quick wickets followed before Harrison Pearson (9 not out) joined Tom Dearden (49 not out) and the pair safely saw their team to victory at 112 for 3 with six overs still in hand. Tom Dearden faced 37 balls in his superb innings and hit seven boundaries and a six.

The U13’s team put in a tremendous effort away at Sedgefield, but still lost by 17 runs in their NYACC league match. The homeside chose to bat first and scored 124 for 4 in their 20 overs with AJ Wild, Joey Hayman and Tom Norman each taking a wicket. In reply, a fantastic 2nd wicket partnership of 101 between captain Will Dearden (30 retired) and AJ Wild (31 retired) gave Aycliffe a chance of victory, but Sedgefield fought back well, restricting the visitors to 107 for 5 after 20 overs.

The U11’s lost at home to a very strong Rockliffe Park by 47 runs in the NYACC league. However there were some good individual performances from captain Will Moffatt, who top scored for Aycliffe with 19 runs and a wicket each for both Charlie Malcomson and Jack Connors.

Photo: U15’s team after their historic win at home to Darlington.