Newton Aycliffe Cricket Club’s 1st team team sponsored by Lift Right Fork Lift Training soared to the top of the NYSD 3rd division table after a fantastic 6 wicket home win over previous league leaders Bedale. The visitors were asked to bat first on the ever improving Aycliffe wicket with 216 all out after 48.5 overs.
The three pronged Aycliffe fast bowling attack of Sean Morgan (5 for 48), Michael Howe (4 for 58) and Dan Craggs (1 for 46) bowled well to peg the visitors back with the last 7 Bedale wickets falling for just 27 runs. In reply opener Luke Telford carried his bat for an outstanding innings for 90 not out, hitting eight boundaries and two huge sixes and he received good support from Sean Morgan (56 runs) and captain Chris Palmer (22 runs).
Aycliffe reached their target with 5 overs remaining and in the process set a new club record as their score of 217 was the highest score to win a match batting second. Sean Morgan earned the man of the match after his outstanding all round display during which he took five wickets and scored a half century and this is only the 5th time that this special feat has been completed by a first team player in the club’s history.
A weakened 2nd team were well beaten by 9 wickets at home to a strong Seaton Carew 3rd XI in the NYSD Sunday division 2. Asked to bat first, Aycliffe were skittled for just 78 after 30.5 overs with Ben Nicholson top scoring with a fluent 43. In reply the visitors coasted to victory after just 18.1 overs with Aycliffe opening bowler Dan Weldon taking the only Seaton Carew wicket to fall thanks to a sharp catch from John Wardle.
The under 18’s team lost their final game of the season at home to Mainsforth by 20 runs despite a much improved performance. Mainsforth chose to bat first and were restricted 114 for 8 in their 20 overs thanks to some excellent fast bowling from captain Danny Weldon (4 for 11) and a couple of wickets from 12 year old Dylan Tribley. Aycliffe’s Tom Wickins hit an excellent 33 and received good support from Ben Nicholson and Joe Haines, who both scored 11 as Aycliffe reached 94 for 8 after their 20 overs.
The club’s under 15’s team were also below strength due to holidays and this allowed Bishop Auckland to gain revenge for their defeat by Aycliffe earlier in the season. Bishops scored 124 for 6 in their 20 overs and despite an agressive 22 runs from Dylan Tribley, 14 runs from Arran Taylor and some staunch resistance from 11 year old Nathan Parry, Aycliffe were restricted to 53 for 5.
