Newton Aycliffe Cricket Club’s 1st team, sponsored by Franks the Flooring Store, fought back well to take a hard earned draw at home to Hartlepool 2nd XI in the NYSD 2nd division. The visitors elected to bat first and piled up the runs, scoring a very challenging 249 for 8 in their allotted 50 overs. George Slatcher (sponsored by Dean and Tina Greaves) led the way with the excellent figures of 4 for 47 from 13 overs and he received great support from 17 year old Matty Greaves who finished with 2 for 13 from his eight over spell. In reply, Aycliffe slipped to 74 for 5 despite good innings from both Joe Teasdale (32 from 27 balls) and Adam Gittins (23 from 59 balls). However, a superb 7th wicket partnership of 87 between George Slatcher and Matty Greaves steadied the innings before Slatcher was dismissed near the end for a brilliant first team best of 60 from 114 balls with ten boundaries. Matty Greaves also deserves praise for scoring his highest first team score, an unbeaten 35 from 41 balls including four boundaries and a six helping to see Aycliffe safely to the close and a very respectable 195 for 7 after their allotted 50 overs.
The 2nd team visited top of the league Darlington RA 2nd XI in the NYSD 4th division and were comfortably beaten by seven wickets. Aycliffe chose to bat first and they were dismissed for 95 after 39 overs with 16 year old Owen Smith top scoring with 20 from 30 balls. Ryan Patrick chipped in with 18 from 47 balls and other contributions came from Dan Heaton (13 not out off 27 balls ) and Jai Sander (13 off 51 balls). In reply, the home side quickly reached their winning target after only 16.1 overs and with seven wickets in hand, despite some good bowling from Matty French (2 for 21) and 13 year old Will Dearden (1 for 13).
The club’s u15’s team continued their unbeaten start to the season with a 27 run victory away at Norton in the NYACC League. Electing to bat first, Aycliffe piled up the runs finishing their allotted 20 overs on an impressive 142 for 1 thanks to superb innings from Tom Dearden (53 not out off 39 balls), Leo Stout (48 off 65 balls) and Adam Shaw (19 not out off 20 balls). In reply, the homeside were held to 115 for 6 from 20 overs with Leo Stout (sponsored by Red Lion Shildon) completing a fine all round game by taking 2 for 9 and Dan Heaton, Will Moffatt and AJ Wild each taking a wicket for Aycliffe.
The u13’s began their season with a heavy defeat by 111 runs at home to Richmond in the NYACC league. Richmond scored 177 for 1 in their 20 overs with Tom Norman taking the only wicket to fall. In reply, Aycliffe were held to 66 for 7 with captain Will Dearden scoring an excellent unbeaten 32 from 41 balls and his stand out innings included five boundaries.
The club’s u11’s got their season off to a great start with an exciting five run victory at home to Darlington RA in the NYACC League. All team members played well but special mention must go to Joey Hayman (sponsored by Dicksons), who took 3 for 0 and Miles Telford (2 for 4) who both bowled superbly in a tense finale to help see their team over the winning line.
Newton Aycliffe Cricket Club senior ladies team also got their season off to a flier with a 41 run victory away at Castle Eden ladies. Player of the match was Lucinda Hall who marked her debut in stunning style by taking 2 wickets for 5 runs with the ball and then top scoring with an unbeaten 18 in the Aycliffe innings.
Photo: Aycliffe’s victorious u11’s team with proud u11’s team manager/coach Ashley Kell after their win against Darlington RA.