Newton Aycliffe Cricket Club’s 1st team, sponsored by Franks the Flooring Store, lost at home once again to bogey team Barnard Castle 2nd XI by five wickets in the NYSD 2nd Division. Electing to bat first, Aycliffe totalled an under par 176 all out after 46.3 overs. Adam Gittins (sponsored by Midland Structural Services) had a welcome return to form when he top scored with 58 from 109 balls and he hit seven boundaries. Sam Telford also batted well scoring a seasonal best 39 runs from 42 balls, reaching the boundary on seven occasions and Jack Slatcher chipped in with 14 runs off 25 balls. In reply, the visitors romped to victory scoring 180 for 5 after only 29.2 overs despite the efforts of Aycliffe bowlers James Layfield-Carroll (4 for 41) and George Slatcher (1 for 43). This match was sponsored by Midland Structural Services.
The second team had an outstanding victory by 85 runs away to Maltby 2nd XI in the NYSD 4th division. Aycliffe were invited to bat first and totalled 152 all out from 36.3 overs. Dylan Tribley, who was playing his first game after missing the last three season through injury, batted superbly to top score with an eye catching 40 from 42 balls and his innings contained three boundaries and a six. 15 year old Owen Smith produced his best score of the season with 35 from 45 balls faced and Ryan Patrick contributed with a quick fire 21 from 19 balls. In reply, the home side were skittled for just 67 after 26.2 overs, thanks to some good performances from the four pronged Aycliffe bowling attack of Joe Teasdale (3 for 27), Tom Dearden (2 for 11), Dylan Tribley (2 for 13) and Leo Mercy (2 for 14).
On bank holiday Monday, the 2nd team travelled to Bedale 2nd XI and lost a very tight game in the last over by four wickets in their NYSD 4th division clash. Electing to bat first, Aycliffe struggled throughout their innings to get any momentum and finished their allotted 40 overs on a below par 150 for 9. Joe Haines (sponsored by Eileen Quinn), top scored with 30 runs and other notable contributions came from Ryan Patrick (25 runs) and Dylan Tribley (17 runs). Credit must also go to 13 year old Harrison Pearson (10 not out) and 15 year old Leo Mercy (9 not out) who put on a vital unbeaten 10th wicket partnership of 27 to give the innings some substance at the end. In reply, the home side were made to battle for every run, but managed to reach their winning target of 151 with just three balls and four wickets in hand despite some good bowling from Aycliffe’s James Layfield-Carroll (2 for 26) and Patrick Howe (2 for 26).
Newton Aycliffe’s U11’s girls hosted Seaham Harbour u11’s girls in the Durham League and put in a very spirited performance but still lost by 60 runs against their more experienced opponents. Special mention must go to Allisha Taylor and Daisy Grainger, who both batted superbly scoring 12 and 11 runs respectively.