Newton Aycliffe Cricket Club’s 1st team, sponsored by Franks the Flooring Store, travelled to bottom of the table Maltby 1st XI and came away with a frustrating draw in their NYSD 2nd division clash. The highlight of the match was a brilliant career best innings by Luke Telford (sponsored by Dr Subhan Christudas) who was desperately unlucky to be dismissed just one run short of a thoroughly deserved maiden century. Luke faced 101 balls in his memorable innings and he hit 18 boundaries. Other contributions came from Ryan Patrick (24 runs) and Adam Randall (22 runs) as Aycliffe scored a season’s best total of 222 all out from 47.1 overs. In reply, despite four wickets from Jack Slatcher and a couple from Michael Howe, Aycliffe were unable to take the ten wickets needed for victory as the home side held out at stumps on 214 for 7 from 52 overs.

However Aycliffe had better luck on the bank holiday Monday when they defeated bogey team Barnard Castle 2nd XI by 53 runs in the NYSD 2nd division. Adam Gittins (sponsored by Phoenix Energy and Jack and Jake Connors) lead the way with a superb innings of 63 and with Adam Randall scoring 43 and Michael Howe chipping in with 27, Aycliffe totalled a par score of 165 all out after 47.5 overs. In reply the visitors were bowled out for 112 after 34.1 overs thanks to good bowling from George Slatcher (4 for 16), Michael Howe (3 for 31) and James Layfield-Carroll (2 for 23). Over the weekend Aycliffe picked up 37 points which leaves them in third place in the 2nd division table and only three games left to play.

A weakened second team travelled to Bedale 2nd XI in the NYSD 4th division and were comprehensively beaten by 176 runs. The home side chose to bat first and scored a huge 260 for 4 declared from 36 overs. In reply only captain Joe Haines with 22 runs and Matty Greaves with 10 runs, reached double figures as Aycliffe were dismissed for 84 after 35.2 overs.

A very under strength 2nd team travelled to Sedgefield seconds on bank holiday Monday and were well beaten by 146 runs in their NYSD 4th division match. The home side batted first and finished their allotted 40 overs on 234 for 8. Leo Mercy was the pick of the bowlers with his best ever figures in senior cricket of 4 for 35 and he was supported well by Joe Haines (sponsored by Phoenix Energy) (2 for 40) and Iain Robson (1 for 39). In reply Ben Nicholson top scored with 32 and other contributions from Trevor Shingler (15 runs) and Joe Haines (14 runs) couldn’t stop Aycliffe from being bowled out for just 88 from 29.3 overs.

Special mention must go to 17 year old Alex Paterson who made her debut for Aycliffe and became only the second female to represent the club at senior level and performed with credit in difficult circumstances.

Photo: Luke Telford who scored 99 runs for the first team away at Maltby 1sts on Saturday.