Newton Aycliffe Cricket Club’s first team, sponsored by Franks the Flooring Store had a hard fought three wicket home win against top of the table Normanby Hall 2nd XI in the NYSD 2nd division.
The visitors batted first and at 164 for 4 looked to be heading for a huge total despite some early success for fast bowler James Layfield-Carroll (2 for 22). However the introduction of leg spinner Patrick Howe (4 for 21) soon had them in trouble as they slid to 180 all out after 31.2 overs.
Aycliffe lost wickets at regular intervals, but good innings from both Subhan Christudas (44 runs) and Graham Telford (23 runs) and a superb unbeaten 31 from 16 year old Dan Bowmer saw the home side to a nail biting victory after 50.2 overs.
The club’s second team lost by 81 runs away at Wolviston 2nd XI in the 3rd division of the NYSD, but the match will be remembered for an outstanding bowling performance from Aycliffe’s Elliott Holt who took a hat-trick during the home sides innings, finishing with 4 for 27 from his 8 over spell. It’s the first time for 16 years that this feat has been achieved by an Aycliffe second team player and only the third time in the club’s history. Wolviston scored 144 all out after 42.4 overs and Aycliffe replied with 63 all out after 32.2 overs.
A special mention for club stalwart Chris Palmer who played his 517th senior game for Aycliffe at Wolviston, breaking the club’s long standing appearance record of 516 games previously held by Secretary Lee Weldon. During this period, Chris captained the first team on 197 occasions and has scored 8,222 runs, including three centuries.
The 32 year old has played for Aycliffe all of his 17 year career and he expects to play for a few more years so the all time appearance record may take some beating in the future.
The club’s u17’s team hosted Norton u17’s in the NYSD junior league and won by an impressive 30 runs. Electing to bat first Aycliffe scored a respectable 111 for 7 in their 20 overs thanks to good innings from Ryan Dawson (38 runs), Jack Lowery (16 runs) and Dylan Tribley (14 runs). The visitors were bowled out for 81 after 19.1 overs with all rounder Dawson taking a superb 3 wickets for just 3 runs from his four over spell. Dylan Tribley (2 for 8) and captain Josh Pearson (2 for 23) also bowled well to help Aycliffe to their first win of the season.
Newton Aycliffe’s u13’s team had an excellent 30 run win at home against Darlington RA u13’s in the NYACC League cup. Batting first Aycliffe scored 77 for 7 in their 20 overs thanks to an excellent innings of 18 from Kieran Shingler and 16 not out from captain Lucas Pilling. In reply, Darlington fell 30 runs short thanks to a devastating spell of bowling from all rounder Pilling, who finished his three overs with four wickets for just 3 runs.
