Newton Aycliffe’s victorious under 15’s team won the DCB league cup final at home to Sunderland in the most dramatic of circumstances. The visitors were on 85 and needed only 2 runs to win from the last over with 3 wickets in hand, they managed to score a run off the 1st ball to tie the match. They then incredibly had three run outs in 3 balls to hand the trophy to Aycliffe by virtue of losing few wickets.
Earlier in the game Aycliffe scored 86 for 6 in their 15 overs thanks to a brilliant unbeaten 44 from captain Josh Pearson and a useful 14 runs from Dylan Tribley. In reply Sunderland looked to be coasting to victory as they reached 64 for 1 after 9 overs. The visitors only required 23 runs from 6 overs with 9 wickets in hand, but the Aycliffe youngsters fought back with some brilliant bowling and fielding to dismiss the visitors for 86 to take the trophy for the first time in their short history.
Newton Aycliffe Cricket Club’s 1st team team, sponsored by Franks The Flooring Store, got back to winning ways with a comfortable 8 wicket victory away at Sedgefield 2nd XI in the NYSD 2nd division. Electing to bat first, the home side were blown away by some excellent fast bowling from Aycliffe’s Matty Atkinson (5 for 14), Colin Myers (3 for 18) and Sean Morgan 2 for 18 as they were dismissed for just 79 after 32.4 overs. In reply, opener Joe Haines carried his bat for a chanceless unbeaten 30 and with good support from captain Chris Palmer, who remained unbeaten on 25, Aycliffe romped to an impressive win after just 16.2 overs.
The 2nd team, playing their penultimate game of the season, recorded their seventh win of the campaign when they easily defeated Blackhall 2nd team at home by 6 wickets in the 3rd division of the NYSD. After being asked to bat first, the visitors were bowled out for just 90 runs after 39.4 overs thanks to some tight bowling from medium pacers Jack Slatcher (4 for 17), Neil Bancroft (3 for 6) and Tom Wickins (2 for 20). In reply opening batsman Darryn Bancroft got his side off to a flying start with a quickfire 31. However four wickets fell for just nine runs, before Neil Bancroft (33 not out) and 14 year old Dan Bowmer (9 not out) steadied the ship and then eased their side to a well deserved win after just 26.5 overs.
