Newton Aycliffe’s 1st team, sponsored by Franks the Flooring Store, lost by a huge 110 runs away at Saltburn 2nd XI in the NYSD second division. The home side chose to bat first and rattled up an impregnable score of 263 for 5 in their allotted 50 overs despite some excellent bowling by captain James Layfield-Carroll, who took 4 for 45 from his 15 overs. In reply, half centuries from both Tom Dearden (sponsored by Kevin Burton) (56 from 58 balls) and Chris Palmer (52 off 57 balls) briefly gave Aycliffe hope but, once they were dismissed, the innings fizzled out and they were eventually bowled out for 153 after 39.2 overs.
The second team were beaten by seven wickets at home to Maltby 2nd XI in the NYSD fourth division. Aycliffe were asked to bat first and opener Patrick Howe, playing only his second game of the season, was in scintillating form, carrying his bat for a superb unbeaten 92 off 104 balls and his career best innings included 13 boundaries and two sixes. With Aycliffe struggling at 81 for 7, Howe was joined at the crease by 13 year old Trent Telford and the pair batted brilliantly to set a new second team club partnership record for the 8th wicket of 94. Telford recorded his senior career best score of 37 off 51 balls, including five boundaries and with Matty French also batting well with 23 off 29 balls, Aycliffe were eventually dismissed for 180 off 37.2 overs. In reply, the visitors aggressively attacked the Aycliffe bowling and quickly reached their winning target after 26.5 overs with only Leon Patel (2 for 38) and captain Dan Weldon (1 for 28) having any success with the ball.
The club’s Ladies team took part in the Durham Ladies Megafest Tournament at the Seat Unique Riverside Stadium, home of Durham County Cricket Club, on Sunday 4th August and came out on top after winning all four games against Eppleton, Seaham Harbour, Sacriston and Murton Ladies Cricket teams. A great achievement by the Aycliffe ladies.
The following night, the ladies, who are the defending champions, had an impressive 67 run victory at home to Rockliffe Park in the Prestigious NYSD 100 Pairs cup quarter final, thanks to a great team effort in the field, and this was followed by some excellent batting from Tina Masterman (29 off 17 balls), Claire Ebdon (27 not out off 12 balls), Addison Jones (14 not out off 13 balls) and Anneliese Myers (13 not out off 11 balls).
Aycliffe’s U15’s were well beaten by 92 runs away at Rockliffe Park in the NYACC League. The homeside chose to bat first and scored a huge 169 for 3 in their allotted 20 overs despite some good bowling from Addison Jones (2 for 31) and Carys Myers (1 for 29). In reply, Aycliffe battled hard and were 77 for 7 after 20 overs despite a defiant innings by Freddie Lawler who batted superbly to finish unbeaten on 43 from 54 balls faced and included 8 boundaries. Credit must also go to 10 year old Morgan Jones, who batted really well, scoring 7 not out off 22 balls and sharing an unbroken 8th wicket partnership of 37 with Lawler at the end of the Aycliffe innings.
The U13’s put in a good performance but, unfortunately, still lost by five wickets at home to Darlington RA in the NYACC league. Aycliffe batted first and scored 81 for 7 in their overs, thanks to another excellent innings from in-form Trent Telford who retired on 32 from 22 balls faced. In reply, RA comfortably reached their winning target after 16.1 overs and five wickets in hand with nine year old Harvey Palmer the pick of the bowlers taking 3 for 10 from his three overs.
The U11’s put in a terrific performance away at Darlington and were desperately unlucky to lose a very close game by just two runs in the NYACC League. Nine year old Captain Harvey Palmer continued his excellent form with the bat when he top scored with 12 not out from 13 balls faced. When Darlington batted, both Nial Hadland (2 for 3) and Neve Britton (2 for 17) bowled superbly, but Aycliffe fell just two runs short in a tense finale.
Photo: The victorious Ladies team after their four victories in the Megafest Tournament.