Newton Aycliffe’s 1st team, sponsored by Franks the Flooring Store, earned a hard fought draw away at Yarm firsts on Saturday 21st June and the following week on 28th June, they had a very comfortable eight wicket victory at home to Thornaby 2nds, which helped consolidate third place in the NYSD 3rd division table at the half way stage of the season.
At Yarm, Aycliffe chose to field and our bowlers were put to the sword by some very aggressive home side batting, eventually finishing on a huge 278 for 6 from their allotted 40 overs, despite some good bowling by 16 year old Will Dearden, who finished with 3 for 65. In reply, Aycliffe lost wickets at regular intervals, but were thankful for a battling unbeaten 29 off 83 balls by Ramzan Hussain, to help achieve a draw for the visitors, when their innings closed on 95 for 7 at stumps.
On Saturday 28th June, Thornaby chose to bat first and were skittled for 109 after 25.3 overs thanks to some excellent leg spin bowling by Tom Dearden (sponsored by Kevin Burton), who finished with a season’s best 5 for 25 and two wickets each by both Will Dearden and Matty Greaves. In reply, opener Tez Smit got Aycliffe off to a flyer with 28 off 32 balls. Captain Chris Palmer (sponsored by Vanila Design & Print) top scored with 43 not out off 55 balls and Tom Dearden supported well with 14 not out off 49 balls, safely saw their home side home for the loss of just two wickets and with a huge 31 overs in hand.
On Saturday 28th June, Aycliffe’s 2nd team made the short journey to play Bishop Auckland 2nd team at Kingsway in the NYSD 4th division and came away from an entertaining game with a thoroughly deserved draw. The hosts chose to bat first and scored what they believed was a winnable 225 for 5 declared, despite some excellent bowling from Aycliffe captain Dan Weldon, who finished his seven over spell with three wickets for 33 runs and Shashank Garg, who finished with 2 for 47 from his lengthy ten over spell.
In reply, all rounder Shashank Garg then went to work with the bat, top scoring with 55 from 82 balls and his classy innings included eight boundaries. Credit must also go to both Tony Travis (15 not out off 44 balls) and 13 year old Addison Jones (5 not out off 11 balls) for surviving the last 26 balls in a tense finale to take their team to 164 for 8 at stumps and help Aycliffe earn a morale boosting draw.
On Sunday 22nd June, Aycliffe’s Women’s team put in an excellent all round display to jointly maintain top spot in the Hambleton League with a 62 run victory at home to Thornton Watlass Women. Mother and daughter, Anneliese and Carys Myers took the honours with the ball as both bagged a couple of wickets each when the visitors batted. When Aycliffe replied, all rounder Anneliese Myers was again in the action when she jointly top scored with an unbeaten 17 off 14 balls. Opener Tina Masterman hit 17 not out off 13 balls and Louise Jackson also batted well with an unbeaten 12 off 11 balls to help the hosts to another impressive win.
On Sunday 29th June, the Women‘s team hosted joint leaders Bedale Women in the Hambleton League and were defeated in a close game by 21 runs. Tina Masterman took a couple of wickets when the visitors batted and Amanda Norman (sponsored by Rite People) top scored with 9 not out when Aycliffe replied. With just one game left to play, Aycliffe still have an outside chance of winning the league, but will be heavily reliant on other results going their way.
Photo: Second team batsman, Shashank Garg, who scored a half century v Bishop Auckland.