Newton Aycliffe Cricket Club’s 1st team, sponsored by Franks the Flooring Store, played two games over the bank holiday weekend and came away with a draw and a defeat.
On the Saturday they visited second in the table Marton 2nd XI in the NYSD second division and earned a hard fought draw. The homeside chose to bat first and were restricted to 188 for 7 from their allotted 50 overs with 16 year old Matty Greaves (sponsored by Britannia Fire Ltd) the pick of the Aycliffe bowlers taking 3 for 21. In reply, club stalwart Chris Palmer top scored with 32 from 45 balls and opener Luke Telford also batted well with 24 runs from 28 balls faced. However Aycliffe lost wickets at regular intervals and were thankful for a defiant unbeaten 16 off 59 balls from 14 year old Thomas Dearden and a battling 13 runs off 29 balls by Matty Greaves, which pushed their side to 149 for 9 at stumps and helped Aycliffe earn the draw.
On bank holiday Monday, Aycliffe hosted Rockliffe Park 1st XI and were soundly beaten by 87 runs (game sponsored by Midland Structural Services). Aycliffe won the toss, asked the visitors to bat first and at the half way stage this looked to be a good decision as the visitors were bowled out for 146 after 45 overs thanks to good performances with the ball by Matty Greaves (3 for 36), Michael Howe (3 for 42), George Slatcher (2 for 11) and James Layfield-Carroll (sponsored by Unison) taking 2 for 26. In reply, Aycliffe were reduced to an astonishing 16 for 8 after some pretty dreadful batting and were thankful for a last wicket partnership of 29 between James Layfield-Carroll (18 not out) and George Slatcher (10 runs) to give the innings some substance before being dismissed for 59, their lowest score of the season, after 23.5 overs.
The second team made the short trip away to third in the table Sedgefield 2nd XI in their final NYSD 4th division game of the season and were easily beaten by nine wickets. Aycliffe decided to bat first and were bowled out for just 68 after 27.4 overs with only Leo Mercy (sponsored by Joint Design Direction) with 22 runs, Owen Smith (12 runs), Ryan Patrick (11 runs) and Joe Teasdale (10 runs) reaching double figures. In reply, the homeside coasted to victory after 23.5 overs with Harrison Pearson (1 for 6) taking the only wicket to fall.
Despite this heavy defeat, the young Aycliffe second team finished their season with a playing record that reads : Played 22, Won 5, Lost 8, Drew 3 and six games not played due to bad weather and Covid-19. The final points total was 216 and they finished in a very creditable 7th place in the NYSD 4th division.
Photo: 16 year old 2nd team batsman Leo Mercy in action.