Newton Aycliffe Cricket Club’s 1st team team, sponsored by Franks The Flooring Store, had a hard earned four wicket victory at home to Marske 2nd team in the NYSD 2nd division. The visitors were asked to bat first and were blown away by some fantastic fast bowling from Matty Atkinson, who’s marathon 16 over spell yielded his season’s best figures of 6 for 25. Fellow pace bowler Michael Howe supported well taking 3 for 28 from 11.4 overs as Marske were dismissed for just 92 from 33.4 overs. In reply Aycliffe got off to a poor start with both openers back in the pavillion with only 12 runs on the board. However a superb innings of 46 from Dave Atkinson and good support from both Chris Palmer (17 runs) and Matty Atkinson (13 runs) helped the homeside to a welcome victory after 33.4 overs. The win moves Aycliffe up to third in the table with 272 points and still in with a great chance of promotion with just 6 games remaining.
Newton Aycliffe 2nd team were severely depleted due to holiday time and general player unavailability and were forced to give senior debuts to several members of the club’s under 13’s and under 15’s teams and it was no surprise that they were heavily defeated away at promotion chasing Preston 1st team in the 3rd division of the NYSD league. Preston were asked to bat first and were bowled out for 147 from exactly 50 overs thanks to same excellent medium pace bowling from acting captain Tony Travis who took 5 for 34 from 17 overs. Jack Slatcher and Adam Lamb supported well with a couple of wickets each and wicket keeper John Wardle equalled the 2nd team club record with four wicket keeping dismissals during the Preston innings. In reply Aycliffe were bowled out for just 30 after 20.3 overs with only Tony Travis reaching double figures when he scored 10.
The under 15’s visited Evenwood in the quarter finals of the league cup and came away with a convincing victory by 24 runs. Electing to bat first, opening batsman Dan Bowmer continued his excellent form with a hard hitting 20 runs and Arran Taylor also batted well scoring 27, including a six and two boundaries as Aycliffe finished their allotted 15 overs with 83 for 6. In reply some tight bowling and fielding restricted Evenwood to just 59 for 3 from their 15 overs. Aycliffe now entertain Burnmoor in the semi final on Tuesday 26th August.
