By Martin Walker
Newton Aycliffe’s cricket team produced arguably their worst batting performance of the season when they lost at Normanby at the weekend.
Aycliffe’s first XI were humbled by seven wickets away to Normanby’s second XI, slipping further down the NYSD League second division.
It was their second successive defeat after a hugely-promising start to the 2014 campaign which saw them surge to the top of the table.
Aycliffe were all out for just 78 on Saturday from 37 overs, and it took Normanby just 18.5 overs to reach 79 for three and claim victory.
There was better news for Aycliffe’s second team on Saturday, however, when their amazing form continued with a win at home to promotion-chasing Whitby, and another club record.
The visitors racked up an impressive 211, with Aycliffe’s Neil Bancroft (five for 33) and Tom Wickins (two for 34) the outstanding bowlers.
But the home side scored 214 – a second team record – with skipper Adam Gittins scoring 66, including 11 boundaries, to round off a fine man-of-the-match performance.
Joe Haines also scored 54 with the bat and Neil Bancroft was 31 not out.
Aycliffe moved up to seventh in the NYSD League third division, with 157 points from 15 games.
Aycliffe’s first team are at home to Saltburn’s second XI on Saturday, 1pm at Aycliffe Sports Club, while our second team take on Maltby’s XI away.