Newton Aycliffe Cricket Club’s 1st team, sponsored by Franks the Flooring were defeated at home by 49 runs to promotion hopefuls Darlington 2nd XI in the NYSD 2nd division. The visitors chose to bat first and scored a decent 221 for 6 from their allotted 50 overs with Aycliffe’s leg spin bowler Patrick Howe picking up 3 for 35 in the process. Aycliffe got off to a good start thanks to a solid innings from opener Adam Gittins (sponsored by Pheonix Energy), who top scored with 48, Sam Telford with 44 runs and 25 from Michael Howe as they reached 115 for 3 at the half way stage. However despite a fighting unbeaten 28 from Colin Myers, Aycliffe just missed out on a deserved draw when they were bowled out for 172 with only 9 balls of the game remaining. The 2nd team were well beaten by 62 runs away at Preston 1st team in the NYSD 3rd division. Preston elected to bat first and scored 234 for 9 in their 50 overs with Stephen Sweeney (4 for 54), Joe Teasdale (2 for 19) and Tony Travis (2 for 43) bowling well for the visitors. Aycliffe batted well thanks to superb innings from both Dan Craggs (68 runs) and acting captain Tony Travis (55 runs) taking them to 157 for 4. However both batsman were dismissed in the same over as the last six wickets fell for just 15 runs as Aycliffe were bowled out for a respectable 172 after 44.5 overs. The U15’s finished their season with a 36 run defeat at home to Sedgefield in the NYACC league. The visitors chose to bat first and scored 106 for 7 off their 20 overs despite some superb bowling from Luke Grindlay who finished with three wickets for zero runs. In reply, opener Jack Lowery smashed a powerful 31 at a run a ball, with six boundaries, but once
he was dismissed Aycliffe batted out their 20 overs to finish on 70 for 7. The U13’s travelled to Darlington and put in an excellent performance despite running out losers by 6 wickets. Batting first, Aycliffe captain Lucas Pilling smashed the homesides bowlers all over the field scoring 31 off only 11 balls before the mandatory retirement on reaching 30 runs. The in-form Harry Wright also batted superbly and scored a career best 30 as he retired as well with Aycliffe reaching 82 for 7 in their 20 overs. In reply, Darlington comfortably reached their winning target with Iain Robson the pick of the Aycliffe bowlers taking two wickets. Our U11’s team had no game this weekend as Darlington RA were unable to field a team due to some of their players being away on holiday.