Newton Aycliffe’s 1st team, sponsored by Franks the Flooring Store, somehow lost at home to Saltburn after posting a huge score of 242 for 9 from their allotted 50 overs in their NYSD 2nd division match. After being asked to bat first, Aycliffe opener Tom Dearden (sponsored by Kevin Burton) produced a batting masterclass, scoring his maiden first team century. The talented 17 year old was eventually dismissed for 106 from just 95 balls faced and his memorable innings included 22 boundaries. Captain James Layfield-Carroll also batted well scoring an unbeaten 33 runs off 32 balls and Luke Telford chipped in with 17 off 22 balls. In reply, the visitors timed their innings well and reached their imposing winning target with two wickets and 2.3 overs in hand despite three wickets from Layfield-Carroll.
The club’s second team fielded a very young team and, despite making the homeside fight all the way, they were eventually beaten by seven wickets away at Maltby 2nd XI in the NYSD 4th division. After being asked to bat first, Aycliffe were bowled out for just 117 after 27.4 overs despite an excellent half century from Captain Dan Weldon (sponsored by Vanila Design & Print). Weldon scored 55 from 44 balls and his innings included four boundaries and two sixes and he was given good support from Ramzan Hussain (22 off 48 balls) and Dan Bowmer (15 off 32 balls). In reply, Maltby needed 30.2 overs to reach their winning target with 13 year old debutant Tom Norman taking 1 for 9 and fellow debutant, 14 year old Liam Scott, taking 1 for 16 for Aycliffe.
The club’s Ladies team got back to winning ways in an excellent performance at home to Rockliffe Park in the Hambleton League. Aycliffe opener Tina Masterman was in inspired form, smashing a brilliant unbeaten 53 off just 20 balls when the home side batted. Earlier in the game, Anneliese Myers (2 for 5) and Madi Dixon (2 for 24) bowled well during the Rockliffe innings to help their side to an emphatic victory by 66 runs.
Aycliffe’s U15’s played well, but were still defeated away at Barnard Castle in the NYACC League. The home side batted first and scored 126 for 5 in their 20 overs. In reply, opener Will Dearden hit an excellent 51 (retired) off 56 balls and fellow opener Liam Scott (13 off 17 balls) helped give Aycliffe a good platform. However, the rest of the innings fizzled out and the visitors finished on 100 for 7 after their 20 overs. A special mention must go to Will Moffatt who made a promising return to the game after two years out, taking 1 for 30 with the ball and then finishing on 13 not out from 19 balls when he batted.
The U13’s lost by eight wickets at home to Sedgefield in the NYACC League, but special mention must go 9 year old Harvey Palmer, who marked his U13’s debut by taking 1 for 11 and Phoebe Sproat, who also bowled well taking 1 for 5 when the visitors batted.
The U11’s had a thrilling victory by just four runs at home to Darlington RA in the NYACC League. When the visitors batted, they found Aycliffe bowlers Gracie Hayman (2 for 7) and Carys Myers (2 for 14) in great form. In reply, Nial Hadland top scored with an unbeaten 11 for Aycliffe, but unfortunately his excellent innings was cut short when he was struck on the head and had to retire hurt but thankfully his batting helmet helped him avoid any serious injury.
Photo: Tom Dearden acknowledging the crowd’s applause after reaching his maiden first century against Saltburn.