Newton Aycliffe Cricket Club’s 1st team team sponsored by Franks The Flooring Store had a sensational record breaking victory away at Hartlepool 2nd XI by 6 wickets in the NYSD 2nd division. The homeside were asked to bat first and scored what look like a winning total of 251 all out after 43.5 overs.
Luke Telford was the pick of the bowlers taking 4 for 63 and both Colin Myers (3 for 53) and John Cavanagh (2 for 44) supported well in challenging circumstances. In reply opening batsman Tom Young smashed the Hartlepool bowling to all parts of the ground scoring a brilliant 94 from only 87 balls faced, including 17 boundaries and one six and was given excellent support from fellow opener Sam Telford who scored a typically aggressive 40.
When the pair were dismissed Michael Howe and John Cavanagh continued the momentum scoring 53 and and 36 not out respectively as Aycliffe reached 254 for 4, which is their highest ever score to win a match batting second, with more than 12 overs remaining.
The second team completed the double over Northallerton 2nd XI when they came out on top by eight wickets in their NYSD 3rd division clash at Moore Lane. The visitors were asked to bat first and were bowled out for just 111 in 49.4 overs thanks to a well disciplined performance from Aycliffe’s four main bowlers with Adam Gittins finishing with 3 for 18, Patrick Howe 3 for 36, Jack Slatcher 2 for 8 and Danny Weldon 2 for 32.
Openers Adam Gittins (22 runs) and Patrick Howe (24 runs – sponsored by Aycliffe NUFC Supporters Bus) got the innings off to a good start. When they were both dismissed, Ben Nicholson (26 not out) and Joe Haines (17 not out) then saw Aycliffe safely home to victory with more than 21 overs in hand.
The club’s u18’s team had a comprehensive 72 run win away at Shildon Railway in the County Durham Junior League. Batting first Aycliffe totalled an impressive 158 for 5 from their 20 overs thanks to superb innings from both Adam Lamb (59 runs) and Patrick Howe (51 not out). In reply Patrick Howe took 4 for 30 and Ben Nicholson, Tom Wickins and Adam Lamb each picked up a couple of wickets as the home side were bowled out for 86.
The u15’s batted first away at Tudhoe and scored 98 for 5 in their 20 overs with opening batsmen Jack Lowery and Dan Bowmer again in the runs scoring 37 and 20 respectively. In reply Tudhoe eased to a seven wicket victory after 16.3 overs despite some good fast bowling from Adam Lamb who finished with 2 for 16.
The club’s u13’s team played really well away at Wolviston despite losing by 17 runs. Batting first the home side reached 93 for 4 in their 20 overs with Tom Cayless, Kieran Shingler and Leo Mercy each taking a wicket. In reply Aycliffe made a gallant attempt to chase down the runs and were led by a superb innings of 32 (retired out), including five boundaries from guest player Josh Weldon who was playing in his last game before returning home to Australia. Aycliffe were eventually dismissed for a creditable 76 with one ball of the allotted 20 overs remaining.
The u11’s beat the showers, but unfortunately couldn’t beat Norton as they lost by 78 runs. However captain Leo Mercy and Nathan Slater both took a wicket, Francis Humble took an excellent catch and Rob Hillman top scored when Aycliffe batted, smashing two very good boundaries in his innings.