Newton Aycliffe’s 1st team, sponsored by Franks the Flooring Store, were hammered by nine wickets in a very poor performance at home to Marton 2nd XI in the NYSD second division. After being asked to bat first, Aycliffe were skittled for just 103 after 30.4 overs. Matty Atkinson, who was playing his first game for nine years, top scored with an excellent 38 off just 31 balls, including seven boundaries and a six. Joe Teasdale was the only other batsman to reach double figures when he was dismissed for 19 off 21 balls. In reply, the visitors hurried to victory after just 18.4 overs with Atkinson taking the only Marton wicket to fall, which now sees Aycliffe sitting at the bottom of the 2nd division table.
The second team lost an extraordinary game by just 11 runs, away at Skelton Castle 2nd XI in the NYSD fourth division. It was Skelton Castle’s first home game of the season, due to flooding on the ground, and it was clear before the start that the wicket was still very soft and so, unsurprisingly, Aycliffe captain Dan Weldon had no hesitation to bowl first after winning the toss. Fast bowler Jai Sander (sponsored by Armstrong Building Services) made the most of the bowler friendly conditions to finish with career best figures of 5 for 30 and he was supported well by Tez Smit (4 for 6) and Matty Greaves (1 for 5) to help dismiss the homeside for just 45 after 18.1 overs. In reply, Aycliffe also struggled badly, losing their last eight wickets for only 11 runs and were skittled for just 34 off 15.1 overs with no player reaching double figures.
The club’s Ladies team had a big win by 95 runs, away at Hutton Rudby in the Hambleton League, to move to joint top of the table. The homeside batted first and were pegged back by some excellent bowling from both Louise Jackson (3 for 17) and Addison Jones (3 for 19). When Aycliffe replied, Tina Masterman again dominated the innings, top scoring with a powerful 34 from 18 balls and Annelise Myers also batted well scoring 12 not out off 12 balls faced.
Our U17’s put in an excellent performance to beat both the weather and Darlington by 61 runs at Feethams in the first round of the NYSD Plate. Electing to bat first, Aycliffe got another superb start as captain Tom Dearden smashed 50 (retired not out off 37 balls) and fellow opener Leo Stout hit 35 off 38 balls. Liam Scott (16 off 13 balls) and Will Dearden (12 off 16 balls) helped push the visitors to 140 for 6 from their 20 overs. In reply, Darlington were restricted to 79 for 6 thanks to some good bowling from Ramzan Hussain (3 for 14), Tom Norman (2 for 13) and Leo Stout (1 for 13).
The U13’s won for the first time this season when they came out on top in a terrific performance by six wickets away at Darlington RA in the NYACC League. RA batted first and scored 99 for 4 in their 20 overs thanks to some good bowling and fielding by the Aycliffe youngsters. In reply, Aycliffe captain Freddie Lawler scored 30 (retired not out) off 31 balls and he was supported well by Trent Telford (22 off 14 balls) and Jack Collingwood (12 off 20 balls). In a very tense finale, Addison Jones (7 not out off 10 balls) and Thomas Towler (4 not out off 12 balls) held their nerve to see their side to their winning target with only four balls on the innings remaining.
The U11’s lost by 72 runs at home to Northallerton in the NYACC League. There were, however, some good performances with the ball by captain Harvey Palmer (2 for 18) and Carys Myers (1 for 15) and Nial Hadland top scored with 10 runs in the Aycliffe innings.
Photo: Our victorious U13’s team after their nail biting victory.