It was a season of success for Fox Lodge who eased to the Championship title with 60 points to spare and also beat Coleraine to clinch the Eric Cooke Cup in a final to remember.
The success was built around overseas professional Gayan Maneeshan, with the Sri Lankan adding quality and conistency to the batting order to the tune of 1190 runs at an average of 85, hitting 9 fifties and three hundreds - quite a haul.
Ali Doherty was perhaps the surprise package of their campaign, promoted up the order to fill the void left by the departure of his brother Craig to pastures new. His 550 runs at 30.55 (3 fifties) came at a fair rate of knots too and along with Maneeshan provided the bulk of the runs.
Jason Milligan was his usual steady self and he too made three half centuries in his tally of 503 runs at 29.59.
There was quite a gap then to Travis (TJ) Nicholl who made two fifties in his 278 at 16.35, while skipper Johnny Robinson pushed himself down the order which limited his contribution to 253 at 19.46. Others worthy of a mention are Charlie Simpson (216 at 12) and Brian Allen (184 at 18.40).
The Fox Lodge bowling unit enjoyed great success, having not only quality but depth which held them in good stead when injuries and work availabilty imposed on their first-choice attack.
There aren't many more reliable slow bowlers in the division or indeed in the NW than Aaron Heywood and the former captain led the way with his haul of 37 wickets at exactly 15.
Levi Kerr had an excellent year, his exploits pivotal in their Eric Cooke triumph and he will be satisfied with his 31 wickets at 14.97.
Adam Walker (23 at 17.13) and Gayan Maneeshan (23 at 20.04) each took 23 scalps, while also passing the 20-wicket mark was Jason Milligan (21 at 18.57).
Just missing out was Jamie McIntyre (19 at 21.11), while other double figure contributions came from Alistair Doherty (15 at 20.87) and Johnny Robinson (10 at 17.90).
Fox Lodge can reflect on a job well done, but they will be aware of the challenges that await in the top echelons of the game, and they could well do with the addition of a few quality performers over the close season.
FOX LODGE BATTING
- Gayan Maneeshan 1190 runs at 85.00 (9 fifties, 3 hundreds)
- Alistair Doherty 550 runs at 30.55 (3 fifties)
- Jason Milligan 503 runs at 29.59 (3 fifties)
- TJ Nicholl 278 runs at 16.35 (2 fifties)
- Johnny Robinson 253 runs at 19.46
- Charlie Simpson 216 runs at 12.00
FOX LODGE BOWLING
- Aaron Heywood 37 wickets at 15.00
- Levi Kerr 31 wickets at 14.97
- Adam Walker 23 wickets at 17.13
- Gayan Maneeshan 23 wickets at 20.04
- Jason Milligan 21 wickets at 18.57
- Jamie McIntyre 19 wickets at 21.11
- Alistair Doherty 15 wickets at 20.87
