Newton Aycliffe’s 1st team, sponsored by Franks the Flooring Store, played the first of their two games over the weekend and were totally outplayed, suffering a 206 run defeat at home to promotion seeking Rockliffe Park 1st XI in the NYSD second division. Rockliffe were asked to bat first and piled up an impregnable 302 for 5 declared from 44 overs with Luke Telford (2 for 81), Tom Dearden (1 for 26) and Will Dearden (1 for 64) having some success with the ball. In reply, Aycliffe were skittled for just 96 off 28.1 overs with only Sam Telford (30 off 17 balls), Dan Weldon (23 off 40 balls) and Tom Dearden (10 off 31 balls) reaching double figures for the home side.
On the Sunday, in a much improved performance, Aycliffe suffered an agonising defeat by just four runs away at fellow relegation strugglers Stockton 2nd XI in the NYSD 2nd division. The homeside chose to bat first and were bowled out for 168 after 48.4 overs thanks to some brilliant bowling by Luke Telford (sponsored by JR Smith Electrical Services), who finished his marathon 15 over spell with his seasonal best figures of 6 for 31. In reply, Aycliffe opener Tom Dearden again batted superbly to hold the innings together when he top scored with a fluent 59 off 76 balls. including ten boundaries. Other important contributions came from Chris Palmer (23 runs off 16 balls) and Luke Telford (22 off 36 balls), but Aycliffe were in trouble at 144 for 9, still needing another 25 runs for victory. However, a battling 10th wicket partnership of 21 between Jai Sander (12 not out off 23 balls) and Ben Howard (4 runs off 23 balls) almost took their side to victory, but the pair fell just short as Aycliffe were dismissed for 164 after 41.4 overs. These two defeats leaves Aycliffe’s chances of avoiding relegation hanging by a thread as they are now 26 points adrift of safety with only four games left to play.
The second team were beaten by seven wickets away at promotion outsiders Wolviston 2nd XI in the NYSD fourth division. Electing to bat first opener Matty French again held the innings together with 15 runs off 25 balls, but Aycliffe still slipped to a precarious 41 for 9. Thirteen year old Freddie Lawler (sponsored by Athena Gymnastics Academy) scored an unbeaten 18 off 34 balls and fourteen year old Will Moffatt (8 off 26 balls) both batted superbly with the young pair putting on 28 runs for the last wicket to take their side to a slightly more respectable 69 all out after 21 overs. In reply, the homeside romped to victory after 15.4 overs with Will Moffatt (2 for 5) and Matty Greaves (1 for 16) taking the only three wickets to fall.
The club’s U17’s put in a gallant effort, but were eventually beaten by six wickets away at Hartlepool in the semi-final of the NYSD 100 Cup. Electing to bat first Aycliffe scored a respectable 115 for 6 in their allotted 100 balls. Captain Tom Dearden lead from the front with 35 runs off 21 balls and he was supported well by Leo Stout (13 off 19 balls) and an excellent late order unbeaten 32 off 32 balls by Will Dearden. In reply, the home side paced their innings well and reached their winning target for the loss of four wickets and with 12 balls in hand.
Photo: 1st team batsman Sam Telford.