Newton Aycliffe’s 1st team, sponsored by Franks the Flooring Store, failed by just three balls to earn a draw away at top of the table Bedale 1st XI in the NYSD second division and therefore had to accept defeat by 40 runs. The rain delayed the start forcing the umpires to reduce the match to 41 overs per side and the homeside chose to bat first scoring a challenging 225 for 9 in their allotted 41 overs. James Layfield-Carroll was the pick of the bowlers taking 4 for 44 and special mention must also go to Luke Telford (sponsored by Dean & Tina Greaves) who finished with 2 for 75, taking him past the noteable milestone of 500 senior wickets for Aycliffe. In reply, Luke Telford (64 off 59 balls), his cousin Sam Telford (38 off 20 balls) and Adam Gittins (30 off 77 balls) helped their side to a handily placed 127 for 1. However, Aycliffe then lost nine wickets for 56 runs and were all out with just three balls of the innings remaining, consigning them to an agonising defeat rather than a morale boosting draw.
The club’s 2nd XI won convincingly by five wickets at home to Northallerton 2nd XI in the NYSD 4th division after a remarkable all round performance by 16 year old Tom Dearden (sponsored by Kevin Burton). The visitors were asked to bat first and were bowled out for a respectable 175 with only two balls of their allotted 40 overs remaining. Dearden was the pick of the bowlers taking a season best 5 for 51 from his ten over spell, which included three catches off his own bowling and he was supported well by Ramzan Hussain, who took 3 wickets for 5 runs. In reply, Dearden opened the batting for Aycliffe and hit their bowling attack to all parts of the ground. With only seven runs needed for victory, he was agonisingly dismissed just short of a deserved century for a magnificent 97 off just 77 balls and his memorable innings contained 12 boundaries and five big sixes. Both Patrick Howe, playing his first game for a year, and captain Jimmy Newton batted well, each scoring 27 as Aycliffe romped to their winning target after only 25.5 overs.
The club’s U17’s team were knocked out of the NYSD 100 ball cup when they lost at home to Barnard Castle by 16 runs. The visitors were asked to bat first and were dismissed for 108 after 96 balls thanks to some good bowling by Jai Sander (3 for 18), Will Dearden (2 for 15) and Tom Dearden (2 for 18). In reply, Aycliffe were restricted to 92 for 7 in their allotted 100 balls, but Leo Stout (sponsored by Tindale Deli) who hit 39 off 34 balls, Joey Hayman (17 not out off 25 balls) and Tom Dearden (11 off 9 balls) all batted well.
Aycliffe’s Senior Ladies team kept up their unbeaten run this season when they hammered Greenside away by a huge 167 runs in the Durham Women’s league. There were stand out performances with the bat from Lucinda Hall, who top scored with 35, Claire Ebdon scored 28 and Ashley Kell scored 25. When Aycliffe bowled, Tina Masterman took the honours with the ball finishing with 4 for 6 and Louise Jackson (2 for 4) and Lucinda Hall (2 for 5) both also bowled well. Special mention must go to captain Natasha Grainger who held on to five catches to set a new ladies record.
The club’s youngest team entered the U9’s cricket festival at Evenwood CC and had a very successful afternoon winning four out of the five games they played. Five of the eight players were playing their very first cricket matches and the coaches were delighted with all of the youngsters performances throughout the festival.
Photo: Members of our fledgling U9’s team