Newton Aycliffe’s 1st team, sponsored by Franks the Flooring Store, were desperately unlucky to lose by just one wicket at home to Hartlepool 2nd XI in the NYSD second division. Aycliffe were asked to bat first and were bowled out for a disappointing total of 118 after 47 overs with only captain James Layfield-Carroll, who top scored with 41 off 42 balls and an unbeaten 10 off 42 balls by Leo Stout, reaching double figures. In reply, Aycliffe bowled and fielded superbly, making the visitors fight for every run. However, in a nail biting finale, Hartlepool’s last wicket pair inched over the winning line after 38.1 overs despite some excellent bowling from both Luke Telford (sponsored by JR Smith Electricals) (4 for 47) and Tom Dearden (3 for 21).
The second team were well beaten by 77 runs away at Northallerton 2nd XI in the NYSD fourth division. The home side chose to bat first and scored an imposing 184 for 4 in their 40 overs with Aycliffe’s Tom Norman (2 for 37), Leon Patel (sponsored by Leas Flowers) and Matty Greaves (both taking 1 for 24), taking the only wickets to fall. In reply, Aycliffe lost wickets at regular intervals throughout their innings and were eventually dismissed for 107 after 26.1 overs. The main contributions from the bat came from Charlie Cayless (25 off 20 balls), Ramzan Hussain (25 of 37 balls) and Leon Patel (24 off 41 balls).
The following day the 2nd XI had a comprehensive victory by nine wickets at home to Bedale 2nd XI in the NYSD fourth division. Electing to bowl first, Aycliffe skittled the visitors for just 102 from 33.4 overs with Leon Patel (3 for 17), Leo Mercy (3 for 24) and Matty Greaves (2 for 17) doing the damage with the ball and Greaves also had a day to remember in the field, holding on to four sharp catches. In reply, Aycliffe coasted to victory after only 20.4 overs thanks to an unbeaten 2nd wicket partnership of 94 between Chris Palmer (sponsored by AccScents Aromas), who finished unbeaten on 70 off 56 balls and Matty French, who supported well with an unbeaten 22 off 55 balls. Earlier, opener Jai Sander scored ten off 13 balls before becoming the only casualty in the Aycliffe innings.
The U15’s lost by six wickets away at Wolviston in the NYACC League. Electing to bat first, Aycliffe scored a respectable 101 for 3 in their 20 overs, thanks to good innings from captain Tom Norman, who top scored with 38 runs, Trent Telford with 24 runs and Liam Scott with 11 runs. In reply, Wolviston reached their winning target with three overs in hand despite some good bowling from Liam Scott (2 for 17) and Will Moffatt (2 for 19), who shared the four wickets to fall.
The U13’s lost by 8 wickets at home to Sedgefield in the NYACC league. Batting first, Aycliffe were dismissed for 55 from 14 overs, despite a superb unbeaten 33 from 24 balls by acting captain Trent Telford. In reply, the home side reached their winning target after 9.4 overs with Jonah Harrop and Dan Collett taking the only two wickets to fall.
The following evening, the U13’s were beaten again despite a much improved performance, this time by six wickets at home to Northallerton. Aycliffe batted first and reached 96 for 4 in their 20 overs thanks to good innings from Freddie Lawler and Jonah Harrop, who both retired not out 30 and Carys Myers who chipped in with 10 not out at the end. In reply, Aycliffe captain Freddie Lawler removed both of the Northallerton openers to give his side a good start, but the visitors clawed their way into the game and duly reached their winning target after 15.3 overs and for the loss of four wickets.
The U11’s were well beaten by 117 runs at home to top of the table Richmond in the NYACC League despite some encouraging performances with the ball from captain Harvey Palmer (3 for 13), Carys Myers (2 for 13) and Gracie Hayman (1 for 23).
Photo: 2nd team batsman Leon Patel in action.