Newton Aycliffe’s 1st team, sponsored by Franks the Flooring Store, lost by six wickets away at Redcar 1st XI, which confirmed Aycliffe’s relegation to the NYSD 3rd Division after 11 seasons in the 2nd Division. Aycliffe were asked to bat first and looked well placed at 82 for 1 thanks to an excellent innings by 17 year old Tom Dearden (sponsored by Kevin Burton), who top scored with 52 off 42 balls, including 11 boundaries. Adam Gittins continued the good work scoring 41 from 91 balls and in the process became only the third batsmen in the club’s history to pass the 7,000 runs landmark, but Aycliffe lost wickets at regular intervals and despite Chris Palmer hitting 17 runs off 34 balls, Aycliffe were bowled out for 171 off 37.2 overs. In reply the home side reached their winning target after 35.4 overs with Luke Telford taking three of the four Redcar wickets to fall. The first team’s final game of the season is at home to Middlesbrough 2nd XI on Saturday 14th September at 12.30pm.
The club’s second team lost by just 16 runs in an excellent game at home to Yarm 2nd XI in the NYSD 4th division. Yarm were asked to bat first and were bowled out for just 137 after 34.2 overs thanks to some excellent bowling by Leon Patel (3 for 23), Leo Mercy (3 for 24) and Matty Greaves (2 for 34). In reply Aycliffe got off to a great start and reached 66 before they lost their first wicket when Matty French was dismissed for 23 off 49 balls. Aycliffe then suffered the all too familiar collapse losing six wickets for just 34 runs. Opener Leo Mercy (sponsored by Yvonne and Bob Wood) batted superbly, top scoring with a patient 30 off 73 balls and Adam Shaw was left stranded at the end with a robust 21 not out off 18 balls, when Aycliffe lost their last wicket with the score on 121 after 31.5 overs. The 2nd team’s final game of the season is away at promotion hopefuls Darlington RA 2nd XI on Saturday 14th September at 1pm.
Photo attached of 1st team batsman Adam Gittins who became only the third batsman in the club’s history to pass 7,000 senior runs for the club.