On a dry, but a genuinely freezing cold, day the start of the new cricket season got off in style for Newton Aycliffe’s senior teams as they both chalked up maximum 25 points victories thanks to some outstanding individual and team performances.
Newton Aycliffe’s 1st team, sponsored by Franks the Flooring Store, playing their first game back in the NYSD 3rd division after last season’s relegation, had a tough game at home to Whitby 2nd XI, but eventually came out on top by 91 runs. Electing to bat first, new opener, Tez Smit, batted superbly to top score with 83 off 86 balls and with good support from captain Chris Palmer (sponsored by Vanila Design & Print), who smashed an unbeaten 70 off 58 balls and Dan Heaton who hit an aggressive 49 not out from 56 balls, Aycliffe were able to set an impregnable total of 250 for 3 in their allotted 40 overs. In reply, the visitors fought hard to try to save the match and bat out for a draw, but Aycliffe bowlers Leo Mercy, who finished with career best figures of 5 for 23, and 16 year old Will Dearden (3 for 27) helped to dismiss Whitby for 159 with just 3.1 overs remaining.
The club’s young second team travelled to pre-season promotion candidates Darlington RA 2nd XI in the NYSD 4th division and came away with a remarkable victory by 38 runs. Electing to bat first, Aycliffe were quickly in trouble at 12 for 3, but a fantastic 4th wicket partnership of 146 between Ramzan Hussain (73 off 62 balls) and captain Dan Weldon (sponsored by Midland Structural Services), who scored 64 off 64 balls and a late order 23 off 34 balls by 13 year old Freddie Lawler, helped their side to reach an impressive 204 all out after 33.4 overs. In reply, the home side looked well placed at 111 for 3, despite some good work by young opening bowler Freddie Lawler (2 for 22). However, the introduction into the attack of veteran Tony Travis (5 for 35), who was playing his first game for six years, together with Dan Weldon (2 for 13) had a dramatic effect as the pair bowled superbly in tandem to help dismiss Darlington RA for 166 after 29.5 overs.
Photo: Newton Aycliffe 2nd team captain, Dan Weldon, in action with the bat.