Newton Aycliffe Cricket Club’s 1st team, sponsored by Franks the Flooring Store, had a hard fought 35 run win away at Hartlepool 2nd XI in the NYSD 2nd division. Aycliffe were asked to bat first and were dismissed for a par score of 177 all out after 49.2 overs. Lewis Gimple top scored with 39, Sam Telford also batted well scoring 37 and Adam Gittins contributed 21 runs. In reply the home side fought hard, but were eventually bowled out for 142 after 40.4 overs. James Layfield-Carroll was the pick of the bowlers taking 5 for 50 and he was supported well by Patrick Howe (3 for 29) and Michael Howe (2 for 23), which helped Aycliffe to a much needed 25 points victory.
The club’s second team had a very tense two wicket victory at home to Maltby 2nds in the NYSD 4th division. The visitors were asked to bat first and were bowled out for 127 after 28.1 overs thanks to some superb bowling by Jack Slatcher (sponsored by Dean and Tina Greaves), who finished with 6 for 25 from ten overs and 14 year old Matty Greaves chipped in with a couple of wickets for just four runs. In reply, Aycliffe got off to an excellent start thanks to the Slatcher brothers (Jack 30 runs from 35 balls) and George (19 runs from 41 balls) and together with Dan Weldon (23 runs from 21 balls) they comfortably reached 90 for 2, but a mid order collapse of four wickets for eight runs, left them teetering on 98 for 6. However an excellent 7th wicket partnership of 28 between 14 year old David Robinson (18 runs) and 15 year old Harry Wright (6 runs) took their side to within two runs of victory when they were both dismissed, leaving the ninth wicket pair to take the young Aycliffe team to an exciting victory after 35.4 overs.
The U17’s were well beaten away at Norton by 68 runs in the NYSD Junior League. The home side were asked to bat first and scored 122 for 4 in 20 overs with Leo Mercy bowling well taking 2 for 19. In reply Aycliffe capitulated to 20 for 9, but a U17s Club record breaking 10th wicket partnership of 34 by Iain Robson (15 not out) and Harry Wright (12 runs) gave the innings some respectability and they were eventually dismissed for 54 after 16.1 overs.
The U15’s played brilliantly at home to Norton in the NYACC league and came out on top in a very close game by six runs. Asked to bat first, Aycliffe scored a respectable 96 for 8 in their 20 overs thanks to good innings from Leo Mercy (17 runs), Charlie Cayless (15 runs) and Matty Greaves (12 runs). In reply, the visitors were restricted to 90 for 8 from their allotted 20 overs with Aycliffe’s Matty Greaves bowling superbly taking 4 for 14 from his four over spell.
The clubs U12’s continued their good run with a comfortable 34 run victory at home to Yarm in the NYACC league. Batting first Aycliffe’s Harrison Pearson top scored with an aggressive unbeaten 21 and he was supported well by Adam Shaw (15 runs) and Will Dearden (13 runs). In reply the visitors were met by some excellent bowling from Aycliffe’s Dan Heaton, AJ Wild, James Evans and Alfie Spensley, who all took two wickets apiece.
The U11’s put in a spirited performance but were still beaten away Norton by 15 runs in the NYACC League. 10 year old Will Dearden again had an outstanding all round game, top scoring with an unbeaten 17 and then taking three wickets. Daniel Wild also batted well for Aycliffe scoring 6 not out and his older brother AJ bowled well taking a wicket in the Norton innings.
Photo: Talented youngsters David Robinson and Harry Wright who helped Aycliffe 2nd XI to victory with a vital 7th wicket partnership of 28 runs.
