By Martin Walker
Newton Aycliffe’s cricket team are one game away from winning the NYSD third division title in what would be a memorable debut season in the league.
Aycliffe’s first team will entertain Bishop Auckland this Saturday (1pm) – a win will clinch the championship, and promotion to the second division at the first time of asking.
Their title hopes were boosted with a straight-forward, eight-wicket victory against Darlington RA’s second XI last weekend.
Man-of-the-match Sean Morgan bowled superbly to take five wickets for 35, and Sam Telford batted well to score an unbeaten 48 as Aycliffe won their 16th game of the season to take them to 354 points.
Victory at home to Bishop on Saturday (1pm start) would be just desserts for Aycliffe, given the they have won the most number of games in the league to represent an outstanding first season in the NYSD League, after taking the jump up this summer.
Meanwhile, Aycliffe’s second team’s game at Maltby’s 2nd XI last Sunday was abandoned after 11 overs due to heavy rain, but not before fast bowler Danny Weldon earned his team an additional bonus point with two wickets for 16 runs from his lively six-over spell.
The second team’s final game of the season is at home to Stokesley’s third XI at Aycliffe Sports Club this Sunday (1.15pm).