Newton Aycliffe’s 1st team, sponsored by Franks the Flooring Store, got back to winning ways with a five wicket victory at home to Rockliffe Park 2nd XI in the NYSD 3rd division. Rockliffe were asked to bat first and were bowled out for 138 after 31 overs, thanks to some excellent bowling by both Ramzan Hussain (4 for 43) and Matty Greaves (2 for 20). In reply, Aycliffe opener Tez Smit carried his bat for a flawless unbeaten 57 off 77 balls, including ten boundaries. Other notable contributions came from Chris Palmer (25 off 27 balls) and Dan Weldon (18 off 23 balls) as the homeside comfortably reached their winning target after 25.2 overs for the loss of five wickets.
The club’s severely weakened second team lost by eight wickets away at Maltby 2nd XI in the NYSD 4th division. Aycliffe chose to bat first and despite some resilience from 15 year old Liam Scott, who top scored with 19 off 55 balls, and Jon Tait (15 off 22 balls), they were dismissed for 79 after 32.5 overs. The homeside quickly reached their winning target after 10.1 overs with 14 year old Tom Norman taking the only wicket to fall. Special mention must go to 13 year old Addison Jones (sponsored by Mike and Amanda Collett), who made her senior debut for the 2nd team and impressed everyone with her infectious enthusiasm throughout the game.
On the bank holiday Monday, the 2nd team hosted a very experienced Richmond 4th team and were beaten by six wickets in their NYSD 4th division match. Batting first, the homeside were bowled out for 92 after 26.4 overs with only three players reaching double figures with the bat. Shashank Garg batted well, scoring 18 off 35 balls, Chris Palmer (11 off 26 balls) and Jon Tait (10 off 25) also made contributions to the total. When Richmond replied, they found spin bowler Matty Greaves (sponsored by Britannia Fire) in excellent form taking three wickets for six runs, but he couldn’t prevent the visitors from strolling to their winning target after just 13.3 overs.
The U13’s played their opening game of the season and lost a thrilling match by just three wickets at home to Rockliffe Park in the NYACC League. Aycliffe batted first and scored an impressive 119 for 6 in their 20 overs thanks to excellent innings by Jonah Harrop (30 not out off 18 balls), Jack Collingwood (23 off 40 balls) and Miles Telford (22 off 20 balls). In reply, Aycliffe’s Phoebe Sproat bowled well, taking 2 for 10 from her three overs, but it didn’t stop the visitors from reaching their winning target in a tense finale with just two balls remaining.
The U11’s played their first game of the season and were beaten by 63 runs at home to Rockliffe Park in the NYACC League. Lydia Myers was the pick of the bowlers taking 2 for 16 from her three overs and captain Harvey Palmer top scored with 10 not out when Aycliffe replied. Special mention must go Dominic Myers, Zachary Britton and Jacob Paramore-Hall, who all performed well on their debuts for the club.
Aycliffe’s Women’s team played their first ever competitive hardball game, but were defeated away at Norton by eight wickets in the NYSD 100 competition. 13 year old Addison Jones and Anneliese Myers jointly top scored with each scoring nine not out and then the pair shared the only two wickets to fall when Norton replied.
Photo of Women’s Team after their first hardball cricket match.