Newton Aycliffe’s 1st team, sponsored by Franks the Flooring Store, lost by 92 runs, away at top of the table Richmond 2nd XI in the NYSD second division. The homeside were asked to bat first and Aycliffe were delighted to bowl out their hosts for a below par 139 after 37.2 overs. Matty Greaves (sponsored by Athena Gymnastics Academy and Britannia Fire) was the pick of the bowlers, finishing with a seasonal best 4 for 18 and Luke Telford (3 for 19) and Jai Sander (2 for 33) also bowled well for the visitors. In reply, Aycliffe were skittled for just 47, their lowest score of the season, after 19.2 overs with only Tom Dearden (11 off 40 balls) and Leo Stout (10 off 13 balls) reaching double figures.
The second team were also beaten by their divisional table toppers, when Yarm 1st’s came out on top by nine wickets in the NYSD fourth division in game that was interrupted on several occasions because of heavy rain. Batting first, Aycliffe seemed to be going well and were looking comfortable at 29 for 2 after ten overs when the first heavy shower hit the ground. On resumption, after a long delay, Aycliffe lost their next eight wickets for just 31 runs, including captain Dan Weldon, who was going well before the untimely interruption with 18 off 24 balls, including two boundaries and a six as his side were dismissed for 60 off 23.2 overs. In an effort to beat the weather, Yarm hurried to victory after only 6.4 overs with Tom Norman taking the only wicket to fall.
The club’s Ladies team travelled to league champions Northallerton for their final league game of the season and, despite a good performance, they were defeated by 17 runs in the Hambleton League. The home side were asked to bat first and scored 121 for 9 in their 20 overs, despite a couple of wickets apiece from both Addison Jones and Carys Myers. In reply, Aycliffe’s Tina Masterman (19 off 12 balls) and Louise Jackson (18 off 17 balls) both batted well, but the team fell 17 runs short. The bonus points gained gave Aycliffe’s Ladies the runners spot in their first season in this league, which is an excellent achievement.
Aycliffe’s U15’s were involved in a thrilling game away at Seaton Carew in the NYACC League and the result was a rare tie. The homeside chose to bat first and scored 91 for 7 in their allotted overs with Liam Scott the pick of the bowlers taking 3 for 13. In reply, captain Tom Norman held the Aycliffe innings together scoring 26 off 49 balls and he was supported well by both Jonah Harrop (12 off 11 balls) and Will Moffatt (10 off 9 balls). In a thrilling finale, 10 year old Morgan Jones (3 not out off one ball) nearly got his team over the line but, with the scores level, it was left to 9 year old debutant Harvey Palmer to try to hit the winning run. Palmer became the youngest player in the club’s history to play at this level but, unfortunately, the fairytale ending was not to be when the promising youngster was adjudged LBW first ball, leaving both sides to share the spoils.
The U13’s put in a good performance but, unfortunately, still lost by three wickets away at Northallerton in the NYACC league. Aycliffe batted first and made 90 for 9 in their 20 overs thanks mainly to Miles Telford, who smashed a whirlwind score of 27 runs from just 11 balls, including six boundaries. In reply, the homeside reached their winning target in a tense finale for the loss of seven wickets and eight balls in hand, with Jonah Harrop (2 for 13) the pick of the Aycliffe bowlers.
Photo: First team spin bowler Matty Greaves in action.