Newton Aycliffe Cricket Club’s 1st team, sponsored by Franks the Flooring Store, lost a tight game by just three wickets away at Barnard Castle 2nd XI in the NYSD second division. Aycliffe lost the toss and were asked to bat first and were thankful for an outstanding innings by Adam Gittins who top scored with 85, his best score for seven seasons, and he faced 136 balls and hit 13 boundaries and a six. Joe Teasdale (29 runs off 44 balls), Sean Morgan (22 runs off 19 balls) and Tom Dearden (21 runs off 39 balls) also batted well as Aycliffe were dismissed off the final ball of the 50th over with 217 runs on the board. In reply, the homeside batted very positively from the start, but the introduction of the spinners into the Aycliffe attack saw wickets fall at regular intervals. Club stalwart Gittins capped an excellent individual performance when he held onto a catch during Barnard Castle’s innings to become the first person in the club’s history to take 150 outfield catches for Newton Aycliffe. However, despite some good bowling from Matty Greaves (4 for 51), Luke Telford (2 for 45) and Tom Dearden (1 for 29), Barnard Castle reached their winning target after 41.1 overs and with only three wickets in hand.
The second team had an excellent eight wicket victory at home to Yarm 2nd XI in the NYSD 4th division. After winning the toss, the decision by Aycliffe captain Ryan Patrick to field first proved to be an inspired choice as his youngsters bowled superbly to skittle their opponents for just 71 after 20.5 overs. 13 year old Will Dearden led from the front, taking a senior career best 4 for 15 and he was supported superbly by both 17 year old Leo Mercy (3 for 38) and 15 year old Harrison Pearson (sponsored by Ian Hannant) (2 for 10). A special mention must go to 15 year old wicket keeper Adam Shaw, who equalled the 2nd team club record in an excellent display behind the stumps, claiming four dismissals (3 catches and 1 stumping) during the visitor’s innings. In reply, an unbeaten 32 off 30 balls by Ryan Patrick (sponsored by A Star Bathrooms) and 27 runs from 27 balls from 17 year old Jai Sander, helped their side to a comfortable win for the loss of two wickets after just 11.1 overs.
The u13’s played their final game of the season away to Rockliffe Park and were well beaten by nine wickets with the only bright spot being a sparkling innings by Joey Hayman, who smashed an unbeaten 31 for Aycliffe.
Aycliffe’s senior ladies team had a comfortable win by 42 runs away at Beamish in the County Durham Women’s league.
Photo: 15 year old wicket keeper Adam Shaw who equalled the 2nd team club record of four dismissals in an innings during the Aycliffe home game against Yarm 2nd XI.