Newton Aycliffe’s 1st team, sponsored by Franks the Flooring Store, came out on top in the battle of the bottom two, eventually winning by five wickets at home to Stockton 2nd XI in the NYSD second division. The visitors were asked to bat first and were blown away by some superb bowling by captain James Layfield-Carroll (sponsored by Yvonne and Bob Wood), who finished with seasonal best figures of 6 for 40 from his marathon unbroken 15 over spell. Luke Telford (2 for 6) and Ben Howard (2 for 18) also bowled well to help to dismiss Stockton for 111 from 38.4 overs. In reply, Aycliffe were wobbling on 33 for 4, despite an aggressive 19 off 12 balls by opener Luke Telford. An excellent 5th wicket partnership of 57 between Terence Smit (27 off 45 balls) and Adam Gittins (36 not out off 77 balls) put Aycliffe back on track. When Smit was dismissed, Ryan Patrick (8 not out off 15 balls) continued the good work with Gittins to help take Aycliffe safely over the winning line after 29 overs and with five wickets in hand.
The second team were given the full 25 points when their opponents Bedale 2nd XI were unable to field a team in their scheduled NYSD fourth division match.
The club’s U17’s lost by nine wickets against Hartlepool at home in the semi-final of the NYSD Junior Cup. Choosing to bat first, Aycliffe scored a respectable 122 for 6 in their allotted overs in an innings again dominated by captain Tom Dearden. The talented youngster top scored with 52 retired off just 37 balls and it was Dearden’s 6th half century for the U17’s team this season, which is a new club record. Ramzan Hussain (18 off 20 balls), Leo Stout (16 off 33 balls) and Liam Scott (13 off 17 balls) all made vital contributions to the score. In reply, the visitors eased to victory after 16.3 overs with 12 year old Freddie Lawler taking the only wicket to fall.
The U15’s were heavily defeated by 107 runs away at Barnard Castle in the quarter finals of the NYACC League Cup. Chasing a formidable 202 for an unlikely victory, Aycliffe batted well and scored a respectable 94 all out in their 20 overs thanks to excellent innings from both Freddie Lawler (39 off 34 balls) and Trent Telford (30 off 26 balls). The U15’s were beaten again when they returned to league action away at Darlington despite an excellent all round performance by captain Tom Norman, who took 2 for 24 with the ball and then opened the batting when Aycliffe replied and carried his bat scoring an unbeaten 10 off 45 balls. Fellow opener Liam Scott also batted well, hitting a four and a six before he was dismissed for 12 runs off 11 balls.
Photo: Batsman Adam Gittins in action for the 1st team.