Newton Aycliffe Cricket Club’s 1st team, sponsored by Franks the Flooring Store battled hard to earn a draw away at league leaders Middlesbrough 2nd XI in the NYSD 2nd division. The home side batted first and racked up a huge 289 for 5 in their allotted 50 overs despite a couple of wickets for both Adam Gittins and Lucas Pilling. In reply, Chris Palmer (sponsored by Vanila Design & Print) top scored with 49 from 56 balls, acting captain Darryn Bancroft chipped in with 24 and Adam Gittins scored 21 as Aycliffe looked to be heading for defeat at 166 for 9. However a tenacious unbeaten 10th wicket stand from Lucas Pilling (0 not out from 18 balls) and Dan Weldon (9 not out from 25 balls) saw them safely bat out the last six overs to earn their side a deserved draw in a tense finale as the innings closed on 179 for 9 after 50 overs.
The 2nd team had a brilliant 37 run victory at home to Northallerton 2nd XI in the NYSD 4th division. After being asked to bat first, Aycliffe scored a respectable 154 all out after 33 overs thanks chiefly to a superb career best score by Ryan Patrick (sponsored by A* Bathrooms), he finished with 68 runs from 74 balls, including nine boundaries and there was an important unbeaten 12 runs late in the innings by Jak Kennedy. In reply, Neil Bancroft, Matty Greaves and James Brown each took three wickets for Aycliffe as the visitors were bowled out for 114 after 29 overs.
The u17’s worked hard but were still beaten by 67 runs away at Barnard Castle in the NYSD u17’s league. The hosts batted first and scored 140 for 5 in their 20 overs with Aycliffe’s Will Varley the pick of the bowlers taking 2 for 24. In reply, Aycliffe opener Dan Bowmer batted really well, top scoring with an excellent 36 runs from 50 balls faced and his innings included seven boundaries as the visitors were dismissed for 73 after 17.1 overs.
The club’s u15’s won their second game in a row, this time beating Billingham Synthonia away by 37 runs in the NYACC league. After being asked to bat first, Aycliffe made an impressive 136 for 7 in their 20 overs thanks to excellent innings from both Lucas Pilling (41 runs) and 12 year old Leo Mercy (37 runs), with Frazer Mills and Iain Robson both chipping in with ten runs each. In reply, the home side were restricted to 99 for 2 from their 20 overs with Lucas Pilling and David Robinson taking a wicket each for Aycliffe.
The u13’s continued their recent good form with a ten wicket victory at home to Blackhall. The visitors batted first and were restricted to 74 for 8 in their 20 overs with Leo Mercy taking 3 wickets for 9 runs and Brandon Grant taking 2 wickets for 9 runs for Aycliffe. In reply opener David Robinson scored an excellent unbeaten 30 and was given good support from fellow opener Matty Greaves, who finished on 24 not out as the hosts hurried to victory after only 10.5 overs.
Pictured: 18 year old 2nd team batsman Ryan Patrick who scored a match winning half century on Saturday
