Newton Aycliffe Cricket Club’s 1st team, sponsored by Franks the Flooring Store got their first league win of the season after a brilliant performance to beat Rockliffe Park 1st XI by 8 wickets in the NYSD 2nd division. After being asked to bat first, the visitors were blown away by some terrific bowling from Aycliffe pair Jack Slatcher, (sponsored by Dean and Tina Greaves), who took 5 for 13 and Michael Howe (4 for 27) and were skittled for just 43 after 22 overs. In reply Sam Telford smashed an unbeaten 31 off just 23 balls, with three boundaries and a couple of sixes as Aycliffe hurried to their winning target from just 7.5 overs.
On the Friday evening, the first team registered their first win of the season defeating Sedgefield 1st XI at home by 13 runs in the Brunton Cup. Batting first Aycliffe posted 109 for 9 in their 20 overs thanks to a good innings of 37 by Adam Randal (sponsored by DTS Joinery) and James Layfield-Carroll who chipped in with 11 runs. In reply the visitors were held to 96 for 9 after 20 overs with Patrick Howe the pick of the bowlers taking 3 for 22 and a couple of wickets apiece from Luke Telford and James Layfield-Carroll. Special mention must go to club stalwart Chris Palmer who became the first player in the club’s history to play 600 senior games for Newton Aycliffe CC.
The club’s 2nd team again battled well to earned a deserved draw away at Rockliffe Park 2nd XI in the NYSD 4th division and maintain their unbeaten start to the season. Aycliffe captain Joe Haines (sponsored by Pheonix Energy) had a match to remember as he became only the 5th second team player in the club’s history to take five wickets and score a half century in the same game. Rockliffe scored 236 for 7 in their 40 overs with Haines taking 5 for 52 and Matty Greaves chipping in with 2 for 49. In reply Aycliffe batted out their 40 overs finishing on 106 for 7 thanks to a diligent unbroken 8th wicket partnership of 36 from 15.1 overs by Haines (52 not out from 91 balls) and 13 year old Leo Mercy (12 not out from 47 balls) to help save the game.
Our u15’s were beaten by eight wickets away at Rockliffe Park in the NYACC League. Batting first Aycliffe scored a respectable 96 for 5 thanks to good innings from Matthew Greaves (37 runs) and Harry Wright (23 runs). Rockliffe reached their winning target after 18.4 overs with Harry Wright completing a good individual game by taking both wickets to fall.
The u13’s got their league campaign off to a good start when they defeated Blackhall u13’s at home by eight wickets in the NYACC League. The visitors elected to bat first and were bowled out for 71 after 19.1 overs thanks to some terrific bowling from Aycliffe’s Alfie Spensley (3 for 14), Thomas Dearden (2 for 6) and Dan Heaton (2 for 9). In reply, Aycliffe batted superbly in the drizzle and fading light and reached their winning target after 18.4 overs. Harrison Pearson top scored for the homeside with an unbeaten 28 off 48 balls, including four boundaries and a big six and he was given good support from Harry Brumwell, who finished with an important 10 not out off 44 balls.
The club’s new team, the u12’s, played their inaugural game and got off to a great start comfortably defeating Norton at home by 40 runs in the NYACC League. There were good performances with the ball from Alfie Spensley and James Coupland, who each took two wickets and during the Aycliffe innings, captain Thomas Dearden top scored with ten runs.
The u11’s got their first victory of the season when they beat Rockliffe Park at home in an excellent game by just 12 runs in the NYACC League. Captain Will Dearden shone with the bat scoring 18 runs and James Evans was the pick of the bowlers taking a couple of wickets.
Photo: 2nd team record breaker Joe Haines