By Martin Walker
Newton Aycliffe claimed 17 crucial points from a draw after being thwarted at the death by Saltburn.
Aycliffe’s first team declared on a healthy 202 for seven, with Dave Atkinson scoring 59, Matty Atkinson 39 and Dan Craggs 27.
But Saltburn’s second XI just managed to hold out with some tenacious batting, scoring just 44 but holding on to their last wicket until the final ball.
Matty Atkinson (pictured, above) was man-of-the-match after taking four wickets for nine runs, after an impressive batting display, while Sean Morgan took four for 15 and Colin Myers one for one.
It puts Aycliffe on 211 points and lifted them up to third in the NYSD League second division.
Meanwhile, a weakened Aycliffe second team lost for only the second time in two months, going down to an eight-wicket defeat away to Maltby 2nds.
John Wardle earned the man-of-the-match when he top scored with an aggressive 41 runs as Aycliffe were 100 all out.
But it took Maltby just 25.3 overs to reach 103 for two and claim victory, with Neil Bancroft taking one wicket for 15 and Jack Slatcher one for 24.
Aycliffe’s first team are away to Stokesley’s second team this Saturday (1pm), while our second team are at home to Norton’s second XI at Aycliffe Sports Club (also 1pm).