Newton Aycliffe Cricket Club’s 1st team, sponsored by Franks the Flooring made the short trip to near neighbours Shildon Railway 1st in the NYSD 2nd division and came away with their first win of the season by 74 runs. After being asked to bat first, Aycliffe scored an impressive 213 for 8 from their 50 overs. Michael Howe top scored with a superb half century, eventually being dismissed for 55, and he received good support from Subhan Christudas (36 runs) and captain Adam Gittins with 27 runs. In reply, some excellent bowling from Jack Slatcher (4 for 20), Michael Howe (3 for 26) and James LayfieldCarroll (2 for 14) helped to bowl out the homeside for 139 with only three overs of the game remaining. Michael Howe (sponsored by Yvonne and Bobby Wood) picked up the man of the match award after his eye catching all round performance.
The second team played Blackhall 2nd XI for the second consecutive week in the NYSD 4th division, only this time they were at home, but the outcome unfortunately was the same as they were defeated by nine wickets. After being asked to bat first, Aycliffe were bowled out for 95 from 33.2 overs with only Dan Weldon showing any resistance with an excellent unbeaten 32 from 60 balls faced. Weldon’s innings included four boundaries and he was given some support from captain Steve Sweeney who chipped in with ten runs. In reply the visitors romped to victory after just 13.3 overs with Ryan Patrick (1-5) taking the only wicket to fall. The 2nd team hosted Preston 1st XI on the bank holiday Monday in the NYSD 4th division and lost by 53 runs.
Preston elected to bat first and Aycliffe were delighted to bowl them out for just 137 after 43.1 overs. James Layfield-Carroll bowled superbly taking a career best 4 for 25 and was supported well by Lucas Pilling, Dylan Tribley and Tom Wickins, who all chipped in with two wickets each. However when Aycliffe batted, they were disappointed to be bowled out for a well below par 84 after only 22.3 overs, with only Elliott Holt (22 runs) and Layfield-Carroll (15 runs) reaching double figures. Our under 15’s team travelled to Sedgefield and lost by nine wickets. Batting first, the Aycliffe youngsters performed with credit to bat out their allotted 20 overs and finish their innings on 58 for 6, thanks to an excellent 23 runs from Joe Bowsher. In reply the home side eased to victory despite some tight bowling from captain Lucas Pilling who took 1 for 11 from his four over spell. The u15’s also lost at home to Hartlepool, despite a good innings of 10 not out from Matty Greaves and 11 runs from man of the match Will Varley, who also chipped in with the only Hartlepool wicket to fall.
The u13’s lost away at Hartlepool despite good individual batting performances from both Iain Robson and Leo Mercy. Aycliffe’s u11’s hosted Sedgefield and were defeated by 66 runs. Joe Ingman bowled well taking 2 for 6 and Robert Price also bowled well on his debut taking 1 for 10. Adam Shaw also deserves credit for an excellent innings finishing 9 not out to top score for Aycliffe
