Newton Aycliffe Cricket Club’s 1st team, sponsored by Franks the Flooring Store, lost by five wickets away at Darlington 2nd XI in the NYSD 2nd division. After electing to bat first Aycliffe were bowled out for a well below par 180 after 45.3 overs. Michael Howe (sponsored by Yvonne and Bob Wood) top scored with 37 at a rate of a run a ball, Sam Telford also batted well scoring 33 from 38 balls and opener Luke Telford worked hard for his 24 runs off 61 balls. In reply, the homeside reached their winning target of 181 for the loss of five wickets and with 3.5 overs in hand, George Slatcher was the pick of the Aycliffe bowlers taking 2 for 39.
The 2nd team, containing eight junior players and with an overall average age of just 17, pulled off a remarkable two wicket victory at home to high flying Guisborough 2nd XI in the NYSD fourth division. Electing to bowl first Aycliffe restricted the visitors to 150 for 8 from their allotted 40 overs thanks to some tight bowling from both Thomas Dearden, who took 3 for 29 and captain Joe Teasdale (2 for 25). In reply, 14 year old Dearden then opened the batting and scored a career best 38 from 63 balls, including six boundaries. 15 year old Owen Smith (sponsored by Tri-Tech Ltd) then took over and scored his first senior half century finishing unbeaten on 54 from 55 balls, hitting nine boundaries in the process. In a very tense finale, Smith’s heroics enabled Aycliffe to edge over the winning line, as his side finished on 151 for the loss of eight wickets and with more than eight overs in hand.
The U13’s hosted top of the NYACC league Hartlepool and were defeated by just 15 runs despite a creditable all round performance by the team. The visitors batted first and scored 100 for 4 in their allotted 20 overs with Aycliffe’s AJ Wild, Tom Norman, James Evans and Trent Telford all taking a wicket apiece. In reply, Aycliffe were restricted to 85 for 8 in their 20 overs and there were some good performances with the bat from Alfie Spensley, who top scored with 17 runs, Trent Telford scored 14 not out and Ollie Paylor chipped in with 11 runs.
The U13’s also travelled to Norton in the NYACC league and were easily beaten by eight wickets. Aycliffe were asked to bat first and scored 89 for 5 in their 20 overs thanks to an excellent unbeaten 31 off 35 balls, including six boundaries, from captain Will Dearden. Other good contributions came from Alfie Spensley (12 from 12 balls), Will Moffatt (11 from 19 balls) and Trent Telford (10 from 10 balls). In reply, the homeside comfortably reached their winning target in the 12th over despite the efforts of AJ Wild who took both of the wickets to fall for 14 runs.
The fledgling Newton Aycliffe senior ladies team put in another good performance, but still lost by five wickets at home to Chester-le-Street in the County Durham League. Special mention must go to Amanda Norman, who top scored for Aycliffe with 8 not out and also to Ashley Kell, Natasha Grainger, Tina Masterman and captain Alex Paterson who each took a wicket during the visitors innings.
Photo: 15 year old Aycliffe batsman Owen Smith after his match winning unbeaten half century against Guisborough