Newton Aycliffe Cricket Club’s 1st team, sponsored by Franks the Flooring Store had a brilliant weekend winning both league games to virtually secure their place in the NYSD 2nd division for another season with two games left to play. On the Saturday they had a brilliant win away at promotion favourites Sedgefield firsts by six wickets. The home side were asked to bat first and were skittled for just 88 after 39 overs thanks to some excellent bowling from Aycliffe’s Luke Telford (4 for 13) Michael Howe (sponsored by Yvonne and Bob Wood), who took 3 for 37 and Jack Slatcher (2 for 25). In reply Aycliffe captain Adam Gittins carried his bat for a superb unbeaten 37 from 112 balls and he was given excellent support from both Michael Howe (27 not out from 22 balls) and Chris Palmer (14 from 14 balls) as the visitors reached their winning target after 36 overs.
On the Bank Holiday Monday, they followed up Saturday’s victory with another fine win, this time defeating Guisborough 2nd team at home by four wickets. The visitors were asked to bat first and were bowled out for 124 after 42.5 overs, with the inform Michael Howe taking 4 for 35, Jack Slatcher (sponsored by Mr & Mrs Greaves) taking 3 for 48 and James Layfield-Carroll chipping in with 2 for 13. In reply, all rounder Slatcher top scored for Aycliffe with a fluent 42 from 57 balls, including eight boundaries and he was given good support from captain Adam Gittins (16 runs). However, despite the loss of a few wickets, a late flourish from Dave Richardson, who scored an unbeaten 18 from 24 balls, with four boundaries, helped see the homeside to their second win of the weekend after 38.3 overs. The second team however struggled over the weekend and lost both of their games. On the Saturday they were well beaten by 175 runs at home to league leaders Seaton Carew 2nd XI in the NYSD 4th division.
The visitors chose to bat first and piled up the runs and declared their innings on 282 for 5 after 45 overs. In reply, opener Tom Wickins batted with authority to top score for Aycliffe with 41, Elliott Holt (11 runs), Steve Sweeney (11 runs) and Dan Weldon (10 runs) were the only other batsmen to reach double figures as the hosts were bowled out for 108 after 35.3 overs. On the Bank Holiday Monday they lost by nine wickets away at Saltburn 2nd team. Choosing to bat first, Aycliffe were dismissed for 66 runs after 29.1 overs with only 16 year old Dylan Tribley (26 runs) and 17 year old George Slatcher (sponsored by Mr & Mrs Greaves) (21 runs) reaching double figures. In reply, Saltburn hurried to victory after only 11.1 overs with 14 year old Lucas Pilling taking the only wicket to fall.
