Newton Aycliffe Cricket Club’s 1st team team sponsored by Franks The Flooring Store had a dramatic last ball victory at home to Normanby Hall 2nd team in the NYSD 2nd division. After a delayed start to allow the ground time to dry out, Aycliffe won the toss and asked the visitors to bat first in a game reduced to 32 overs per side. Normanby Hall were restricted to 122 for 9 from their allotted overs thanks to good bowling from both Michael Howe (4 for 9) and Matty Atkinson (2 for 23).
Openers Tom Young (31 runs) and Joe Haines (25 runs) got the home side off to an excellent start putting on 54 for the 1st wicket. Unfortunately wickets tumbled at regular intervals throughout the innings and despite 23 runs in the middle order from all rounder Atkinson, it was left to last wicket pair Luke Telford and James Skerrett to scramble a bye off the last ball of the game to give Aycliffe the narrowist of wins by one wicket.
The second team travelled the short distance to Shildon 1st XI and were well beaten by 7 wickets allowing the home side to further extend their big lead at the top of the NYSD 3rd division table. Aycliffe batted first and were bowled out for 88 after 35.2 overs with the main contributions coming from John Wardle (24 runs), Jack Slatcher (18 runs) and Tony Travis (11 runs). The homeside coasted to victory after just 16.2 overs with man of the match Slatcher (sponsored by Mr and Mrs Greaves) taking 2 for 28 for Aycliffe.
The under 18’s team played their first game of the season and had a comfortable 7 wicket home win against Crook. The visitors were asked to bat first and were restricted to just 85 for 5 in their allotted 20 overs. Aycliffe stormed to victory after 15.1 overs thanks to excellent innings from both Tom Wickins (38 runs) and James Skerrett (31 runs).
The club’s u13’s were beaten away at Billingham, but there was some good batting performances from Lucas Pilling, who top scored with 17 runs and captain Nathan Parry who chipped in with 13 runs. Luke Patterson also deserves praise after taking his first wicket for the club.
The U11’s team lost at home to Richmond despite a clear improvement in the team’s batting. There was also an excellent first game as wicket keeper by Charlie Cayless who didnt allow a single bye to go past him.