Newton Aycliffe’s 1st team, sponsored by Franks the Flooring Store, finished their season in style with a comprehensive victory by eight wickets at home to Barnard Castle 2nd XI in their final NYSD second division game of the season. The visitors won the toss and decided to bat first and were skittled for just 117 after 39.5 overs thanks to some excellent bowling and fielding in sweltering conditions. Off spinner Luke Telford (sponsored by Dean and Tina Greaves) was again the pick of the Aycliffe attack taking five wickets for just 39 runs from 14.5 overs and he was supported well by Tom Dearden (2 for 18), Matty Greaves (1 for 9) and James Layfield-Carroll (1 for 25). In reply, Aycliffe opener Sam Telford immediately launched a ferocious attack on the visiting bowlers, scoring 55 runs off just 29 balls and his eye catching innings included six boundaries and four big sixes. When Telford was dismissed, Chris Palmer (25 not out off 18 balls) and Adam Gittins (19 not out off 35 balls) carried on the good work and safely took their team over the winning line after only 15 overs and for the loss of just two wickets.
Aycliffe’s first team picked up the maximum 25 points from their win against Barnard Castle, taking their final points total to 255 from 22 games played, finishing in a very creditable sixth place in the NYSD 2nd division table.
Aycliffe’s victorious Senior Ladies team (sponsored by Recruitrite) became champions of the Durham Women’s League after travelling to their nearest rivals Sunderland and beating them convincingly by 62 runs in a totally dominant display. The home side won the toss and asked Aycliffe to bat first and they proceeded to score a challenging 99 for 4 in their allotted 16 overs. Openers Tina Masterman (27 retired from 15 balls) and Ashley Kell (26 retired from 20 balls) again batted superbly to get Aycliffe off to a great start and then Claire Ebdon also got amongst the runs later in the innings, scoring an invaluable 19 runs from 20 balls. In reply, Sunderland could not get any momentum in their innings thanks to some superb bowling and fielding from the Aycliffe ladies. Opening bowler Anneliese Myers was in superb form finishing her four overs with the remarkable figures of four wickets for just one run. Ashley Kell and captain Natasha Grainger both chipped in with two wickets apiece as Sunderland were restricted to just 37 for 9 from their 16 overs to give Aycliffe victory and the championship.
Photo: The ladies team after securing the championship with their 62 run victory away at Sunderland.