Newton Aycliffe Cricket Club’s 1st team, sponsored by Franks the Flooring Store began the new season with an excellent eight wicket win at home to Stokesley 2nd XI in the NYSD 2nd division. New Aycliffe captain Luke Telford won the toss and elected to bowl first and the decision proved to be a good one as the visitors were bowled out for just 123 from 43.2 overs thanks to some excellent bowling from both Jack Slatcher (3 for 25) and Michael Howe (3 for 34).
In reply, Darryn Bancroft (sponsored by Utility Warehouse) was given the man of the match award after smashing the Stokesley bowling to all parts of the ground as he scored a brutal 70 runs from just 58 balls including seven boundaries and four huge sixes. Adam Gittins chipped in with an unbeaten 14 and Chris Palmer also contributed with 12 not out as Aycliffe comfortably reached their winning target after just 25.5 overs.
The 2nd team made the short journey to Sedgefield 2nd XI and were heavily defeated by 134 runs in the NYSD 4th division. New 2nd team captain Neil Bancroft also won the toss and likewise chose to bowl first. However the homeside put on a powerful batting display scoring 190 for 6 from their allotted 40 overs, despite some good bowling from Bancroft (3 for 33) and Lucas Pilling (2 for 25). In reply Aycliffe were blown away by some excellent fast bowling from the homeside and were dismissed for just 56 after 21.4 overs with only Joe Haines (17 runs) and man of the match Neil Bancroft, who scored 13 before retiring hurt, reaching double figures for Aycliffe.
The club’s under 15’s side also began their season at the weekend with a difficult away game against a Barnard Castle side packed with County players and unsurprisingly were defeated by 212 runs in the NYACC league. The home side batted first and scored 173 for 2 with Aycliffe’s Jak Kennedy and Leo Mercy each picking up a wicket. In reply Aycliffe were held to 52 for 7 with good contributions coming from captain Will Varley (10 runs), Kyle Cuthbertson (10 runs) and an unbeaten 13 from Iain Robson.
