Newton Aycliffe Cricket Club’s 1st team, sponsored by Franks the Flooring Store had an exciting nine run victory at home to Hartlepool 2nd XI in the NYSD second division. After being asked to bat first, Aycliffe struggled to get any momentum in their innings and were eventually bowled out for 152 after 48.2 overs. There were however invaluable contributions with the bat from Darryn Bancroft (36 runs), Chris Palmer (30 runs) and an unbeaten 26 from captain Luke Telford (sponsored by Pheonix Energy). In reply, the visitors also struggled for momentum, but still battled hard against the excellent bowling of Patrick Howe, who took 4 for 30 and Luke Telford (2 for 40) and they were eventually dismissed in 42nd over, just ten runs short of their winning target. The win maintains Aycliffe’s promotion push and keeps them in third place in the table.

The first team made it into the knock out stages of the NYSD 15/15 cup with a close six run victory away at Wolviston 2nd XI. Electing to bat first, Aycliffe scored 148 for 5 in their 15 overs, thanks to a magnificent innings from opener Michael Howe (sponsored by Yvonne & Bobby Wood), who smashed the bowling to all parts of the ground finishing on 86 runs from 47 balls and his innings included ten boundaries and four big sixes. Other major contributions came from Darryn Bancroft (27 runs) and Jack Slatcher (15 not out). In reply the homeside were restricted 142 for 4 in their 15 overs with Patrick Howe taking 2 for 24 from his three overs. The game will however, be remembered for the “sending off” of the Wolviston batsman Asif Nadeem for arguing with the umpire regarding a wide that wasn’t given as per law 42.

The u15’s lost at home to Hartlepool by six wickets in the NYACC. Batting first Aycliffe scored a respectable 84 for 8 in 20 overs thanks to Lucas Pilling, who top scored with 29 and Charlie Cayless and Harry Wright also batted well scoring 14 runs and 12 runs respectively. In reply the visitors reached their winning target after 16.1 overs with Matty Greaves the pick of the bowlers finishing with 2 for 11.

The u13’s recent winning run came to an abrupt end with an eight wicket defeat at home to Sedgefield in the NYACC league. Being asked to bat first, Aycliffe were restricted to a below par 59 for 6 from their allotted 20 overs helped by a superb unbeaten 32 from opener David Robinson. In reply, the visitors took just 13 overs to reach their winning target despite Charlie Cayless and Leo Mercy taking a wicket each for Aycliffe.

The u11’s were well beaten at home to Hartlepool by 52 runs in the NYACC league. However there were good performances from Alfie Spensley, Thomas Dearden and Harrison Pearson who all scored ten runs each for Aycliffe. Will Dearden and Harrison Pearson also bowled well taking a wicket each in the visitors innings.

Photo of batsman Michael Howe who scored 86 for the first team in their narrow six run win at Wolviston.