Newton Aycliffe Cricket Club’s first team, sponsored by Franks the Flooring Store were well beaten by nine wickets at home to local rivals Shildon Railway 1st XI in the NYSD 2nd division.
Aycliffe lost the toss and were asked to bat first on a drying wicket and were dismissed for a below par 124 after 46 overs.
Mark Woodhead (sponsored by Michaela’s Nails) top scored with 31, Sam Telford smashed a quickfire 27 and Adam Gittins with a patient 21 not out were the main contributors.
In reply Shildon romped to victory after only 22.2 overs with the Upton brothers, Greg and Bret, both smashing unbeaten half centuries with Aycliffe captain Luke Telford taking the only visitors wicket to fall.
Thankfully the first team performance improved significantly on the bank holiday Monday as they earned a winning draw away at Hartlepool 2nd XI in a rain affected match, which was reduced to 37 overs per side.
After being asked to bat first Aycliffe finally found their form scoring a very respectable 174 for 8 from their 37 overs, thanks to an excellent 55 from Adam Gittins (sponsored by GetMeCheapBills.com) and good contributions from both Sam Telford with 28 and debutant Subhan Christudas with 25.
In reply a superb spell of seam bowling from Aycliffe’s Colin Myers, taking 4 for 16 from ten overs had the home side in trouble. However Hartlepool held out for a draw finishing on 68 for 9 from their 37 overs, despite a couple of wickets each from Michael Howe and James Layfield-Carroll.
The second team were also defeated in their first game of the season away at Saltburn 2nd team in their NYSD 3rd division match. Asked to bat first Aycliffe were bowled out for 110 after 35.3 overs, but were grateful for a brilliant innings of 60 from vice captain Jack Slatcher (sponsored by Mr & Mrs Greaves).
15 year old Dan Bowmer batted well and scored 27 and Pritpal Grewal chipped in with 15 runs to help give the Aycliffe innings some substance. In reply, the home side reached their winning target for the loss of two wickets after 30.2 overs.
The game was marred when man of the match Jack Slatcher suffered a bad hand injury when trying for a catch and was immediately taken to hospital for treatment to repair the damage.