Newton Aycliffe Cricket Club’s 1st team, sponsored by Franks the Flooring Store lost a very close game by just one wicket at home to Bedale 1st team in the 2nd division of the NYSD. After being asked to bat first, Aycliffe scored a below par 142 all out after 42 overs. Luke Telford (sponsored by Pheonix Energy) top scored with an excellent 51, his highest score of the season, Chris Palmer also batted well scoring his seasonal best score of 45 and Graham Telford chipped in with a useful 10 runs near the end of the Aycliffe innings. In reply, the Aycliffe bowlers made the visitors fight all the way through their innings thanks to good performances from Michael Howe (3 for 35), Jack Slatcher (2 for 22) and Luke Telford (2 for 24), but in a tense finale, they eventually reached their winning target after 33.4 overs with their last wicket pair at the crease.
The 2nd team were well beaten by 157 runs away at promotion hopefuls Maltby 2nd XI in the NYSD 4th division. The homeside chose to bat first and scored a challenging 205 for 9 in their 50 overs despite some good bowling from Neil Bancroft (4 for 30) and Stephen Sweeney (2 for 30) and backed up by four outstanding catches in the deep by 17 year old Ryan Patrick, a feat which equals the club 2nd team record for most catches in a match by an outfield player. In reply, Aycliffe had a disaster as they were skittled for just 48 after only 18.1 overs with only three players reaching double figures in the Aycliffe innings, Dylan Tribley (13 runs), Dan Weldon (11 runs) and Adam Cayless (10 runs). The club have one final soft ball cricket session for the 5 to 11 age group on Wednesday 30th August at the Sports Club from 10am to 11.30pm. Boys and girls of all abilities are welcome and the cost is £3 per child per week. For further details please contact Secretary Lee Weldon on 07759 754959.
