Newton Aycliffe Cricket Club’s 1st team, sponsored by Franks the Flooring Store, lost by 70 runs away at promotion chasing Barnard Castle 2nd XI in the NYSD 2nd division. Aycliffe won the toss and asked the home side to bat first and they romped to an impregnable total of 273 for 9 declared after 48.5 overs. George Slatcher bowled well for Aycliffe taking 3 for 47 as did James Layfield-Carroll (3 for 61) and Sean Morgan (2 for 37). In reply, Aycliffe captain Adam Randall (sponsored by DTS Joinery) lead from the front with an eye catching innings of 69 from only 57 balls faced, including eleven boundaries and three sixes. Special mention must go to club stalwart Chris Palmer who scored a typically robust 41 off 39 balls, including two boundaries and four sixes and in the process became the first person in the club’s history to pass the incredible milestone of 10,000 senior runs for Newton Aycliffe CC. The other notable contributions came from opener Joe Haines with 19 runs off 82 balls faced and Matty Greaves with a quickfire 18 off 19 balls. Aycliffe were eventually dismissed for 203 after 45 overs, which despite being their highest ever score against their bogey team, was still well short of their winning target.
The 2nd team lost by 57 runs at home to Maltby 2nd XI in the fourth division of the NYSD. The visitors were asking to bat first and they scored 210 all out from the final ball of their allotted 40 overs despite some good bowling from 16 year old Leo Mercy (2 for 28), 14 year old Tom Dearden (2 for 41) and Ryan Patrick (1 for 9). In reply, all rounder Tom Dearden (sponsored by Kevin Burton) batted superbly to reach his first senior half century and was eventually dismissed for exactly 50 from 46 balls faced and his innings contained nine boundaries. Fellow young all rounder Leo Mercy also scored his career best score finishing unbeaten on 44 from 51 balls including seven boundaries. Aycliffe put up a good fight and were eventually bowled out for 153 after 37.5 overs, missing out on a draw by just 13 balls.
Photo: 14 year old Thomas Dearden, who scored his first senior half century for the 2nd team v Maltby.