Poor weather hits Newton Aycliffe hard (Cricket)

THE weather had a major influence in the fortunes of Newton Aycliffe Cricket Club at the weekend as both of the senior teams and the Under-13s all had their games washed out without a ball being bowled.

Earlier in the week the Under-18s battled well in difficult conditions, but still lost by six wickets at home to a strong Esh Winning.

On a positive note, the club's Under11s had their best ever win, defeating Billingham Synthonia by 52 runs.

Aycliffe captain Daniel Weldon lead from the front, top scoring with an excellent unbeaten 15, which included two boundaries and Curtis Lowes hit one boundary in his score of 8.

When Aycliffe fielded, Rachel Layfield-Carroll took the honours with the ball taking two wickets for just two runs. Craig Robertson, Simon Howe, Curtis Lowes and Daniel Weldon also chipped in with a wicket each and James Clarke earned credit for a faultless display behind the stumps.

Other members of the team were Cameron Dewey, Martin Worthington, Christopher Burns and Matthew Marshall.

Roseberry Goup North East Durham League

ONLY one game went ahead in the first division and Newton Hall celebrated with a six wickets victory at Simonside.

Runs were in abundance and when the home side batted first their 45 overs produced the healthy total of 178 for eight. Paul Thompson opened with 31, David Patterson added 34 but the top individual performance came from David Anthony who ended unbeaten on 50.

Kevin Jones had a good day with the ball for Newton Hall capturing three wickets for 34 runs in 12 overs and John Surtees returned two for 29 from the 11 overs he delivered.

Newton Hall faced a big task and when they lost John Alderson for just four runs, they had to regroup. His opening partner Ian Pratt responded with 25 and they formed a productive partnership for the second wicket with Darren Card who contributed a valuable 54.

Kevin Kerr then made the game's highest score ending undefeated on 67 and forming an unbroken partnership for the fifth wicket with Brown (23 no).

The other five games were all washed out without a ball being bowled and in division two the five scheduled fixtures were also cancelled.

The Readers Durham County League Under 18s

MAINSFORTH and Shildon produced a good game which the visitors won by just eight runs.

Batting first, Shildon posted the healthy total of 115 for eight in 20 overs. Michael Lumley and Shane Rowley both scored 26 and Daniel Henderson 24 while in the home attack Ross Clark produced the exceptional figures of four wickets for just seven runs.

Replying, Mainsforth were always in with a chance but when their 20 overs expired they were only 107 for three.

Adam Quincey top scored with 34, David Williams ended unbeaten on 27 and Michael Pattison scored 20.

At Evenwood, Hylton were all out in 16 overs for just 39 as Gary Close gave a magnificent performance with the ball for Evenwood. He captured six wickets at a meagre cost of seven runs.

Responding, Evenwood lost five wickets but still won comfortably achieving the target in 11 overs.

Stewart had a good night with the ball for Hylton taking two wickets for just 14 runs.

Fosters Northumberand and Tyneside Senior League Under 15s

SOUTH Northumberland easily had the better of Benwell Hill in the local derby. Batting first, the visitors realised 118 for two which included 55 by Jobson and 29 from Harbottle.

In reply, Benwell Hill managed just 40 losing five wickets, three of them to Roddick for 15 runs.

No balls were bowled in the Oxbridge Darlington and District League, Inshore Fisheries Langbaurgh League or the Cleveland League on Saturday. Grounds were unfit following heavy rain.

North East Midweek League

KIRKWOOD set themselves up with an away tie in the second round of the Howe Partnership Cup following a hard-earned success over Aidan House.

Chris Tuck with 3-18 and a couple of wickets each from Gavin Brown and Malcolm Brown left Aidan House fancying their chances after bowling out Kirkwood for 113.

But it proved too great a target as Aidan House fell 12 runs short as they ended on 101-7 despite a late flurry from Dave Anderson and Andy White after Graeme Dakers (37) had appeared to put them in the driving seat.

Adders will also play away in the next round following their eight wickets win over Genetics.

Paul Walker's unbeaten 48 spearheaded the runs chase after Genetics had struggled to 88-6.

Second round draw: Ratcatchers v Nine Pins, Cumberland Partners v GEM, Fenham or Seaton Burn v West End, Fire Service/Kibblesworth or High stables v Stocksfield, YAARS Vs Adders, Beamish & East Tanfield v Civil Service, CCC v Kirkwood Bye: Old Record Players In Division Three, Dave Moodie's knock of 29 eased Sage to an eight wickets win over Whitley Bay who had earlier reached 72-4 with Dave Slaven unbeaten on 31.

Alf Armes Junior Cup

DAWDON were all out for just 35 and lost by 90 runs to Boldon CA.

Carl Fergus top scored with 39, Alan Beadle added 33 and Tony Sawyers an unbeaten 21 to Boldon's formidable total of 133 for three.

Replying, Dawdon never threatened as Purvis completed a good game taking three wickets for just nine runs.

Washington also made it into the next round defeating Easington by nine wickets.

The Colliers were also dismissed with just 35 runs on the board and the game was a personal triumph for Washington's Sam Witherspoon who bowled for the first time and claimed a hat trick in the outstanding figures of four wickets for just one run.

He bowled nine deliveries while Andrew Endale returned two wickets for three runs and Robert Fenwick two wickets for two runs. The pair each sent down four overs. Replying, Washington lost just one wicket.

SG Petch Eggleston Cup

First round result: East Cowton v Barningham: Barningham 164 for 4 (Stephen Bell 102 not out), East Cowton 80 for 9 (Ian Taylor 4 for 26).

Barningham won by 84 runs Round two draw: Barningham v Heighington, Cliffe v Spennymoor, Middleton St George v Newton Aycliffe, Sedgefield v Aldbrough St Johnm Barton v Rockliffe Park, Haughton or Ingleton v Cockerton, Heighington v Barningham, Coundon v Catterick Village, Burnhope v Spennithorne & Harmby.