Newton Aycliffe Cricket Club’s 1st team, sponsored by Franks the Flooring Store earned a winning draw away at fellow relegation strugglers Guisborough 2nd XI in the NYSD 2nd division. Asked to bat first, Aycliffe were in trouble at 54 for 4, but a fantastic unbeaten century by Mark Woodhead (sponsored by Michaela’s Nails) helped rescue his team.
Woodhead finished on 111 not out during which he smashed 14 boundaries and he was given solid support initially from Adam Gittins, who scored 37 and then from Colin Myers (29 not out) as they helped Aycliffe reach a respectable 206 for 5 from their allotted 50 overs.
The home side were always behind the required run rate and lost wickets at regular intervals with all rounder Myers taking 5 for 34, however they managed to dig in and bat out the 50 overs and finished on 152 for 9 at the close of play to deny Aycliffe a deserved victory.
On the Sunday, the fixture was reversed and this time Aycliffe hosted Guisborough 2nd XI in the NYSD 2nd division but the match was almost a carbon copy of the game the previous day. Aycliffe again lost the toss and batted first a piled up another big score as they declared on 239 for 7 after 49 overs with the main contributions coming from Sam Telford, who scored 79 at a run a ball and Subhan Christudas who chipped in with 37.
Aycliffe had the visitors on the rack but again they dug and batted out the overs finishing on 162 for 8 after 51 overs with Mark Woodhead (3 for 45) and Patrick Howe (2 for 13) the pick of the Aycliffe bowlers. On a positive note, Aycliffe gained a total of 34 points from a frustrating weekend’s cricket to lift themselves out of the relegation zone.
The 2nd team had a devastating one wicket defeat at home to Billingham Synthonia 2nd XI in the NYSD 3rd division. Aycliffe were asked to bat first and scored a below par 124 all out after 34.5 overs, despite good innings from Stephen Sweeney (42 runs), Jack Slatcher (33 runs) and 11 runs from Dan Craggs.
In reply, the visitors denied Aycliffe a deserved victory when they reached their winning target for the loss of nine wickets after 42.1 overs with 16 year old George Slatcher the pick of the homesides bowlers taking 3 for 38 from 10 overs.