By Martin Walker
Newton Aycliffe’s first team reignited their promotion aspirations after a recent sticky patch with a tough 24-run win away to Yarm on Saturday.
There was a fantastic all-round performance from Aycliffe’s man-of-the-match Michael Howe, who scored a career best 66 runs (including four 6s and five boundaries) and then took a season’s best four for 53 with some excellent fast bowling.
Colin Myers was 30 not out and Sean Morgan scored 27 with the bat as Aycliffe reached 189 for nine from 50 overs.
And Aycliffe bowled Yarm’s first team out for 165 from 48.5 overs, with Sean Morgan taking four for 43 and Matty Atkinson two for 43.
Aycliffe have now moved back up to third in the NYSD League second division with 252 points from 19 games, and with everything still to play for in the final seven games.
Aycliffe’s second team were well beaten on Saturday, however, by 139 runs at home to promotion favourites Seaton Carew.
Veteran Neil Bancroft quite rightly earned the MOTM award for an excellent all round display with both bat and ball.
He took four for 66 as Seaton were 211 all out. Adam Gittins also took three for 17 and Danny Weldon took three for 51.
Bancroft was 43 not out in reply but Aycliffe could only manage 72 all out from just 18.4 overs.
Aycliffe’s first team are at home to Marske’s second XI this Saturday (16th August, 1pm) at Aycliffe Sports Club.
The second team go to Stockton to take on Preston’s first XI on Saturday, also 1pm.