Newton Aycliffe’s 1st team, sponsored by Franks the Flooring Store, agonisingly lost another close game, this time by just two wickets, away at Middlesbrough 2nd XI in the NYSD second division. Aycliffe were asked to bat first and were wobbling at 92 for 5, despite good innings from both Joe Teasdale (31 off 26 balls) and Tom Dearden (19 off 51 balls). Terence Smit (sponsored by Canny Comps) then batted superbly to hit his best score for Aycliffe (71 not out off 70 balls, including ten boundaries) and together with Ben Howard (5 not out off 41 balls), the pair put together an unbeaten 10th wicket partnership of 53, to push Aycliffe’s total to a respectable 190 for 9 from their 50 overs. In reply, Middlesbrough kept up with the required run rate, but lost wickets at regular intervals thanks to some good work with the ball by Ben Howard (3 for 37) and Tom Dearden (2 for 37). However, the home side eventually reached their target after 45.4 overs and for the loss of eight wickets.
The second team were well beaten by 146 runs at home to promotion candidates Darlington RA 2nd XI in the NYSD fourth division. The visitors were asked to bat first and scored an impregnable 198 for 5, declared after 37 overs, despite some good bowling from Tom Norman, who took 2 for 27 and Dan Weldon with 2 for 47. In reply, Aycliffe were skittled for 52 after 25.2 overs with only Adam Shaw (11 off 17 balls) and Jai Sander (sponsored by Armstrong Building Services), who scored 10 off 54 balls, reaching double figures.
The club’s Ladies team had another comfortable win when they came out on top by 63 runs at home to Hutton Rudby in the Hambleton League. The visitors were asked to bat first and had to contend with some good bowling from Tina Masterman, who took three wickets for just ten runs. Claire Ebdon top scored in the Aycliffe reply with 18 runs off 14 balls and other important contributions came from Tina Masterman (17 off 9 balls), Louise Jackson (14 off 14 balls) and Amanda Norman (13 off 12 balls).
Our U17’s put in yet another tremendous performance, this time beating Sedgefield away in a nail biting finish by just one run in the NYSD 100 cup. Electing to bat first, Aycliffe scored an excellent 139 for 4 in their 100 balls thanks to a brilliant unbeaten 84 off 51 balls by captain Tom Dearden and his memorable innings included eight boundaries and six maximums. In reply, the homeside were always up with the run rate, but were pegged back by some superb bowling by Will Dearden, who restricted Sedgefield to just three runs off the last over to finish with the excellent figures of 3 for 7 to help his team to the narrowest of victories.
The U17’s followed up their win at Sedgefield with an exciting win by just six runs, away at Northallerton in the NYSD Junior League, thanks to outstanding individual performances by the talented Dearden brothers. Choosing to bat first, Aycliffe were restricted to 99 for 8 from their 20 overs with captain Tom Dearden continuing his remarkable form with the bat this year with yet another half century and retiring on 53 off 37 balls, including six boundaries and two sixes. Liam Scott also batted well, scoring 15 off 20 balls and Will Dearden chipped in with 13 off 17 balls. In reply, the homeside were bowled out for 93 after 16.3 overs helped by a superb spell of fast bowling from 15 year old Will Dearden, who finished his four over spell with career best figures of six wickets for just 13 runs. Special mention must also go to wicket keeper Adam Shaw who held three good catches and was involved in two run outs during Northallerton’s innings.
The U13’s lost by 51 runs, at home to Darlington in the NYACC League. Captain Freddie Lawler put in an excellent individual performance taking 2 for 7 with the ball and then top scoring with 25 off 26 balls with the bat when Aycliffe replied. Miles Telford also deserves credit, finishing with the impressive figures of 2 for 7 from his three overs.
The U11’s emerged victorious by just 13 runs in a very close game, away at Wolviston, to consolidate 4th place in the NYACC League. Captain Harvey Palmer again top scored in the Aycliffe innings with a solid unbeaten 15 off 14 balls. Aycliffe then fielded and bowled well with Harvey Palmer (1 for 7) and Gracie Hayman (1 for 9) sharing the only two wickets to fall.
Photo: 15 year old fast bowler Will Dearden in action.