Newton Aycliffe Cricket Club’s 1st team, sponsored by Franks the Flooring Store lost a crucial league game at home to fellow promotion hopefuls Sedgefield 1st XI by just ten runs in the NYSD 2nd division. Electing to bat first, Sedgefield scored a challenging 200 all out after 48 overs thanks mainly to a superb innings by former Aycliffe player Richie Hawthorne who scored 110. James Layfield-Carroll was the pick of the homeside bowlers taking a career best 5 for 31 and he was supported well by leg spinner Patrick Howe who took 2 for 49. In reply, opener Joe Haines batted well before he was dismissed for 27, but Aycliffe were soon stuttering on 75 for 4. A superb fifth wicket partnership of 90 between Michael Howe (sponsored by Yvonne & Bob Wood), who scored 51 and Jack Slatcher, who hit 50 put Aycliffe right back in the game. However a dreadful batting collapse saw the last five wickets fall for just nine runs as Aycliffe were bowled out for a disappointing 190 after 48.2 overs.
The first team were also beaten at home to Sedgefield earlier in the week in the NYSD round robin 15/15 cup, but the game will be remembered as the Club’s all time runs aggregate record was overtaken by stalwart Chris Palmer (sponsored by Vanila Design & Print). His 47 runs made during Aycliffe’s innings of 112 for 9 in their 15 overs, took his runs tally for the club to 9,168. Chris, who made his debut in 2000, has played 584 senior games and the record he now holds is a testament to his hard work and commitment during his 19 seasons with the club. In reply, the visitors edged over the winning line in a tense finish with just two balls remaining and seven wickets in hand.
The 2nd team were well beaten by seven wickets away at runaway league leaders Saltburn 2nd XI in the NYSD 4th division. Electing to bat first, Aycliffe were bowled out for 102 after 30.4 overs with only Neil Bancroft (38 runs) and Lucas Pilling (21 runs) reaching double figures. Saltburn hurried to victory after only 16.2 overs despite 13 year old Matty Greaves taking 2 for 30 for Aycliffe.
The u17’s lost at home by eight wickets to unbeaten league leaders Richmond in the NYSD Junior League. After choosing to bat first Aycliffe were restricted to 63 for 7 in their 20 overs with Jack Lowery (13 runs), Dan Bowmer (12 runs) and Kyle Cuthbertson (10 runs) the main contributors. In reply the visitors hurried to their winning total after only 5.2 overs for the loss of two wickets.
Our u15’s lost by eight wickets away at Norton in the NYACC round robin cup competition. After being asked to bat first Aycliffe scored a respectable 91 for 7 in their allotted 20 overs thanks to a superb innings by captain Lucas Pilling who finished unbeaten on 50 from 55 balls faced, hitting seven boundaries and he received good support from 12 year old Leo Mercy who hit a fluent 17 runs from 19 balls. In reply the homeside coasted to victory after 16.4 overs with eight wickets in hand.
Photo: Chris Palmer receiving a commemorative award from his dad, Club Chairman Ian Palmer, after becoming Newton Aycliffe CC’s all time leading run scorer this week.
