Newton Aycliffe Cricket Club’s 1st team, sponsored by Franks the Flooring Store had a mixed weekend, losing on Saturday and then bouncing straight back with a maximum points victory on Sunday.
On the Saturday they lost by four wickets away at Rockliffe Park 1st XI in the NYSD 2nd division. Asked to bat first, Aycliffe were bowled out for a below par 132 after 34.2 overs despite good innings from Dan Craggs (38 runs), Sam Telford (23 runs) and Jack Slatcher (sponsored by Dean and Tina Greaves) with 14 runs. Lewis Gimple (3 for 29) and Patrick Howe (2 for 36) bowled well for Aycliffe but were unable to prevent the homeside from reaching their victory target after 44.2 overs.
On the Sunday the firsts travelled to Hartlepool 2nd XI and came out on top by 85 runs. Electing to bat first, Aycliffe scored a superb 215 for 9 in their 50 overs thanks to some excellent batting from Michael Howe (sponsored by Yvonne & Bob Wood), who top scored with 58, Adam Gittins scored 53 and Chris Palmer scored 38.
When the homeside replied they found the Howe brothers in fantastic form with Patrick taking a seasons best 6 for 40 and older brother Michael taking 3 for 44 as Hartlepool were bowled out for 130 after 41.3 overs.
The 2nd team were comprehensively beaten by 131 runs at home to Rockliffe Park 2nd XI in the NYSD 4th division. The visitors chose to bat first and scored 172 for 9 from their 40 overs despite some outstanding bowling from 17 year old Dylan Tribley who finished with career best figures of 6 wickets for 29 runs from his seven over spell. In reply Aycliffe batted poorly and were dismissed for just 41 after 21.3 overs with only Danny Weldon managing double figures when he scored 14 from 24 balls including three boundaries.
The U17’s began their season with a seven wicket home defeat to Sedgefield in the first round of the NYSD Junior League Cup. Batting first, Aycliffe scored a respectable 99 for 6 in their 20 overs thanks to openers Ryan Patrick (sponsored by A* Bathrooms) and Dan Bowmer, who both scored 33 runs. In reply the visitors comfortably reached their winning target after 16.3 overs with Lucas Pilling taking 2 for 15 for Aycliffe.
Despite an improved performance, the u15’s lost at home to Richmond by five wickets. Batting first Aycliffe scored 68 for 8 in their 20 overs with good contributions from captain Lucas Pilling (16 runs) and Kyle Cuthbertson (13 runs). In reply Richmond reached their winning target in the 16th over despite two wickets each for all rounder Pilling and Harry Wright.
The U11’s won their second game of the season in a mightily impressive performance by a massive 127 runs at home to Barnard Castle in the NYACC League. There were outstanding innings for Aycliffe from Thomas Dearden and Harrison Pearson, who both finished unbeaten with 24 runs each. Talented all rounder Dearden then followed that up with an amazing spell of bowling during which he took a career best 5 wickets for no runs, including a hat-trick and he was given brilliant support from Joe Ingman who also took a career best 4 for 8. Special mention must also go to AJ Wild, who marked his debut for Aycliffe with an excellent bit of fielding to run out one of the opposition batsman. Photo above of the victorious u11’s team.
