Newton Aycliffe Cricket Club’s 1st team, sponsored by Franks the Flooring Store, had a free weekend and so gave centre stage to the club’s 2nd team who were left totally frustrated by the poor weather after getting themselves in a great position to win their match at home to Blackhall 2nds in the NYSD 4th division. The visitors chose to bat first and were bowled out for 96 after 37.2 overs thanks to some excellent bowling from Patrick Howe, who took 4 for 18 and he was supported well by Adam Cayless (2 for 18) and James Brown (1 for 7). In reply, an unbeaten 25 from George Slatcher (sponsored by Dean and Tina Greaves) and 17 from captain Joe Haines put Aycliffe firmly in the driving seat at 44 for 1 after just 9.3 overs. Suddenly, when needing only 53 for victory, with more than 32 overs in hand, the heavens opened and the heavy rain forced the game to be abandoned as a frustrating draw.
The U17’s lost at home to top of the table Darlington by 8 wickets in the NYSD junior league, but special mention must go to late replacement Harrison Pearson, who batted and bowled well on his debut for the team.
Our U15’s had a difficult fixture away at Norton in the NYACC League Cup and lost by 19 runs. The homeside were asked to bat first, scored 125 for 4 in their 20 overs, with David Robinson bowling well taking 2 for 14 from his four overs. In reply Aycliffe batted well and scored 106 for 6 from their 20 overs thanks to excellent innings by both Leo Mercy, who top scored with an unbeaten 27, and Iain Robson (22 not out), with Charlie Cayless chipping in with ten runs.
The U13’s put in a tremendous performance away at Stockton but were unfortunately beaten in a tense last over by seven wickets. Batting first Aycliffe scored 105 for 4 in their allotted 20 overs thanks to excellent innings from Harrison Pearson (30 retired) and Thomas Dearden (17 runs). In reply wickets for Dan Heaton, Harrison Pearson and Will Dearden were not quite enough to avoid a very narrow defeat.
Our U12’s exciting winning run came to an end away at Marton in the NYACC League when they were well beaten by 45 runs. However, there were still some excellent individual performances with the bat, Thomas Dearden scored 23, Adam Shaw finished unbeaten on 14 and Joe Neild also was unbeaten with 11 runs. Captain Thomas Dearden capped a good all round performance by snapping up three wickets during the home side’s innings.
The U11’s were well beaten by 82 runs away at Sedgefield in the NYACC League Cup despite some excellent bowling from captain Will Dearden and Jack Connors, who both picked up two wickets each and an excellent innings of 16, including a big six, from James Evans when Aycliffe batted. The U11’s put in an improved performance away at Wolviston in the league but still came away with a 26 run defeat. Captain Will Dearden top scored with 18 and Joe Neild chipped in with 10 not out and also held onto three excellent catches when the home side batted. Special mention to John Paul Reynolds, who marked his debut for Aycliffe with a wicket.
