Newton Aycliffe’s 1st team, sponsored by Franks the Flooring Store, agonisingly lost after a terrific run chase, by just 8 runs away at second in the table Darlington 2nd XI in the NYSD second division. The home side were asked to bat first and, in between the rain showers, finished their allotted 50 overs with a respectable total 213 for 7. James Layfield-Carroll was the pick of the bowlers finishing with 4 for 50 and he was supported well by both Matty Greaves (1 for 39) and Tom Dearden (1 for 39). In reply, Aycliffe’s target was reduced to, a still challenging, 185 in 38 overs by the Duckworth-Lewis formula due to time lost earlier in the game because of the weather. Adam Gittins (sponsored by BHP Law) led the way for Aycliffe, top scoring with a superb 87 from 112 balls, including eight boundaries. Other main contributions came from Luke Telford (28 off 65 balls) and Tom Dearden (14 off 18 balls) but Aycliffe finished just short of their target as the innings closed on 176 for 8 from their allotted 38 overs. The first team now have 223 points from 20 games and sit comfortably in sixth place in the table with just two games remaining this season.
On the Saturday, the club’s 2nd XI were beaten by five wickets at home to Wolviston 2nd XI in the NYSD 4th division. Electing to bat first, Aycliffe were dismissed for a below par 122 after 31.3 overs with Jai Sander top scoring with a seasonal best 39 runs from 52 balls. Captain Jimmy Newton (24 off 27 balls) and Patrick Howe (24 off 50 balls) were the only other batsmen to reach double figures for the hosts. In reply, Wolviston were made to fight hard for their runs, but eventually reached their winning target after 29.2 overs despite some good bowling by Patrick Howe (3 for 32), Jimmy Newton (1 for 17) and Ramzan Hussain (1 for 31).
On the bank holiday Monday, the 2nd team travelled to play Yarm 2nds in the NYSD 4th division and somehow managed to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory when they agonisingly lost by just just two runs. Electing to field first, Aycliffe bowled well to restrict the home side to 142 for 4 from their 40 overs with Jimmy Newton (2 for 37), Jai Sander (1 for 19) and Tom Dearden (1 for 35) amongst the wickets. In reply, Aycliffe’s in-form 16 year old opening batsman Tom Dearden (sponsored by Kevin Burton) again showed his class when he top scored with 49 off 66 balls. Nathan Stokeld (24 runs off 49 balls) and Jai Sander (16 off 28 balls) helped to put Aycliffe in a very strong position at 117 for 3, but an extraordinary collapse saw seven wickets fall for just 23 runs as they were bowled out for 140 after 37.2 overs in a very tense finish. The second team now have 214 points from 22 games and drop down to eighth in the table with just two games remaining this season.
Photo: First team batsman Adam Gittins in action.