Newton Aycliffe Cricket Club’s first team, sponsored by Franks the Flooring Store had a bit of a scare before coming through to win by four wickets at home to Marske 2nd XI in the NYSD 2nd division. The visitors elected to bat first and were bowled out for a below par 102 after 27.4 overs thanks to good bowling from the three pronged seam attack of Michael Howe (3 for 17), Colin Myers (3 for 25) and James Layfield-Carroll (2 for 43).
Aycliffe opener Tom Young carried the batting almost single handedly as he smashed a brilliant 69, including five sixes and three boundaries to score his fifth half century of the season. When he got out near the end, Luke Telford kept his cool with an unbeaten 17 to see Aycliffe to home to victory after just 23.1 overs.
On the bank holiday Monday the first team travelled to Seaton Carew 2nd XI and came away with a nine wicket win in a rain affected game.
The home side elected to bat first and were restricted to 146 for 8 from their allotted 46 overs. John Cavanagh was the pick of the bowlers taking 3 for 25 and Jack Slatcher chipped in with 2 for 27. In reply opening batsman John Cavanagh (sponsored by CVO Fire) smashed the bowling to all parts of the ground, hitting 12 boundaries and a six to finish with a seasonal best 89 not out. Fellow opener Adam Gittins also batted well scoring 41 and an unbeaten six from Tom Wickins helped to see Aycliffe to their third consecutive victory in the 30th over.
The second team battled well to earned a hard earned draw away at Preston 1st XI in the NYSD 3rd division. The home side chose to bat first and rattled up a huge 257 for 7 declared from 45 overs despite some good bowling from Adam Gittins (3 for 49) and Graham Telford (2 for 34).
In reply Adam Gittins (sponsored by Pheonix Energy) carried his bat for an outstanding innings of 93 not out, which is the Aycliffe captain’s career best score and the highest score by a second team player for 15 seasons. He received excellent support from both Graham Telford (42 runs) and Tony Travis (31 runs) as Aycliffe batted out the required 55 overs to finish on a very respectable 210 for 8 and grab a very respectable draw.
On the bank holiday Monday a weakened second team were well beaten at home to Billingham Synthonia by 9 wickets in a rain affected match.