Newton Aycliffe’s 1st team, sponsored by Franks the Flooring Store, managed to hang on for a draw away at Rockliffe Park 1st XI, thanks to a determined last wicket stand by the two youngest members of the team. 17 year old Tom Dearden and 18 year old Leo Mercy batted with amazing maturity to defy the homesides attack for nine overs to help their side to, what had earlier seemed, an unlikely draw. Earlier in the game, the homeside chose to bat first and piled up a huge 304 for 7 in their 50 overs despite some good bowling from Aycliffe captain James Layfield-Carroll, who finished his 15 overs spell with 4 for 70. In reply, opener Tom Dearden (sponsored by Kevin Burton) put on a dazzling display of batsmanship, to become the first batsman in the club’s history to score a hundred in consecutive league games. Dearden carried his bat and finished with a brilliant unbeaten 101 off 150 balls and his marathon innings included 17 boundaries and a six. Sam Telford (21 off 28 balls) and Adam Gittins (12 off 43 balls) supported well and Leo Mercy’s invaluable six not out off 19 balls, at the death, helped Aycliffe to close on 184 for 9 at stumps.
The club’s second team put in a tremendous effort, but were agonisingly beaten in a nail biting finale by just one wicket at home to promotion contenders Wolviston 2nd XI in the NYSD 4th division. Electing to bat first, Aycliffe struggled throughout their innings and were bowled out for just 113 after 33 overs. 18 year old Ramzan Hussain (sponsored by Athena Sports Academy) top scored with 36 off 41 balls and was supported well by Matty French (15 off 51 balls) and Jai Sander (12 off 17 balls). In reply, the visitors also found batting difficult thanks to some excellent bowling by Leo Stout (3 for 31), Jai Sander (3 for 35) and Ramzan Hussain (2 for 23) and this was backed up by some equally good fielding with Charlie Cayless and Leon Patel both holding onto two catches apiece. In a dramatic finale, captain Dan Weldon took the 9th wicket with the scores level and the Wolviston last pair managing to scramble the winning run to take them to victory after 26.1 overs.
The club’s Ladies team had a narrow nine run victory, away at Thirsk, in the Hambleton League. Aycliffe all rounder Tina Masterman continued her good form this season with another excellent all round performance. In the Thirsk innings, she took two wickets for just ten runs and was supported well by Louis Jackson (sponsored by Canny Comps), who bowled equally well, taking 2 for 28. When Aycliffe batted, Masterman top scored with an unbeaten 24 off 17 balls and Claire Ebdon was also amongst the runs, scoring 14 off 19 balls.
The club’s U17’s lost an entertaining game by six wickets, at home to Northallerton, in the quarter final of the NYSD Junior league cup. Electing to bat first, Aycliffe’s openers got their innings off to a flying start as both Tom Dearden (51 off 31 balls) and Leo Stout (50 off 58 balls) reached excellent half centuries before having to retire. Ramzan Hussain chipped in with 19 off 18 balls as Aycliffe reached 148 for 2 in their 20 overs. In reply, the visitors timed their innings perfectly and, despite a couple of wickets from Will Moffatt in the last over causing some alarm, their winning target was eventually reached for the loss of four wickets and with just two balls remaining.
Aycliffe’s U15’s were well beaten by ten wickets, away at Richmond, in the NYACC League despite a fighting innings by Liam Scott, who top scored for Aycliffe with 18 runs off 20 balls, including two boundaries.
The U13’s lost by 90 runs, away to a strong Darlington RA, in the NYACC League Cup. The home side scored 133 for 2 in their 20 overs with Archie Brown (1 for 11) and Dan Collett (1 for 19) having some success with the ball. In reply, Aycliffe were skittled for just 43 after 19 overs with only Trent Telford (15 runs off 14 balls) and his younger brother Miles (9 runs off 8 balls) offering any resistance with the bat.
The U11’s had another thrilling victory, this time by ten runs at home to Barnard Castle in the NYACC League. Luke Boyd bowled superbly for Aycliffe taking three wickets for just two runs off his three overs. In reply, Aycliffe captain Harvey Palmer (sponsored by Claire & Andy) led from the front, hitting an excellent unbeaten 17 from just 11 balls and Morgan Jones also batted well, scoring 10 not out off 13 balls.
Photo: Our victorious Under 11’s team after their victory against Barnard Castle with proud team coach Leo Mercy.