Newton Aycliffe’s 1st team, sponsored by Franks the Flooring Store, lost by six wickets away at league leaders Barnard Castle 2nd XI in the NYSD second division. Aycliffe were asked to bat first in tricky conditions and were bowled out for a below par 161 after 28.4 overs. Captain James Layfield-Carroll (sponsored by Yvonne and Bob Wood) top scored with 38 off 39 balls and other useful contributions came from Joe Teasdale (35 off 23 balls) and Chris Palmer (25 off 29 balls). In reply, the homeside eased to victory after 29.4 overs and with six wickets in hand despite a couple of wickets from leg spin bowler Tom Dearden.
The second team had to contend with a few stoppages for rain and the subsequent loss of vital overs, but in the end could only manage a draw at home to Skelton Castle 1st XI in the NYSD fourth division. Electing to bat first, Aycliffe piled up an imposing 208 for 6 declared after 33.3 overs thanks to a brilliant century from 18 year old Ramzan Hussain (sponsored by Athena Sports Academy). The talented youngster was finally dismissed for a career best 114 off just 66 balls and his memorable innings contained 18 boundaries and four huge sixes. Opener Matty French also deserves credit for scoring a solid 29 off 80 balls and sharing a 3rd wicket partnership of 96 with the centurion Hussain. In reply, Aycliffe were allotted 32 overs, rather than the usual 40 overs, to try to dismiss the visitors, as a vital eight overs were lost due to the rain interruptions. However, Aycliffe still worked hard in the difficult conditions and had Skelton Castle at 141 for 7 when the overs ran out. Leon Patel was the pick of the bowlers taking 3 for 25 and Matty Greaves also bowled well taking 2 for 12, but the 8 overs that were lost proved crucial as the visiting batsmen dug in for a draw with three wickets in hand.
The club’s U17’s finished top of their group after a brilliant win by 35 runs at home to Barnard Castle in the NYSD 100 Cup. Aycliffe won the toss and chose to bat first and were indebted to a fantastic 2nd wicket partnership of 114 between captain Tom Dearden and Ramzan Hussain. Dearden continued his extraordinary run of form to top score with 82, which was his 7th half century in nine junior games and his dominant innings contained ten boundaries and five sixes off just 39 balls. Hussain also impressed, scoring 47 off 37 balls, smashing four boundaries and four sixes as Aycliffe finished on a very challenging 150 for 9 from their 100 balls. In reply, the visitors were restricted to 115 for 5 from their 100 balls thanks to some tight bowling from Tom Dearden (2 for 16), Dan Heaton (2 for 28) and Freddie Lawler (1 for 17). Special mention must also go to 13 year old stand in wicket keeper Trent Telford who claimed two stumpings and a catch and 12 year old Archie Brown who made his debut and fielded superbly for the team.
The girls U11s team played their first festival of the season at Bedale Cricket Club and came away with two wins and a defeat. The girls beat Thirsk in one of their three games by 26 runs, thanks to some good batting by captain Carys Myers (11 not out off 4 balls) and Evie Dean (10 not out off 3 balls) and tight bowling by Neve Britton who took the only wicket to fall when Thirsk batted.
Photo: Girls U11’s team at the Bedale Cricket Festival and Ramzan Hussain, who scored a century for the 2nd team.
