Fox Lodge came into the 2011 season as a lot of observers’ “dark horses” on the back of a decent past few years however despite a solid enough summer, still no sign of a senior trophy making its way to Ballymagorry.

Given the depth of resources and the quality in the senior side the Foxies certainly have the armoury to be involved in the hunt for honours and there are few sides in the league who boast a better “all-rounder” ratio.

Darryl Brown, Jonny Robinson, Mark Mooney, Andrew McGinnis, Jason Milligan and Andy Britton are all capable with both bat and ball and when you factor in Brian Allen at the top of the order and the emerging talents of Gareth Heywood with the new ball, this looks a strong outfit.

There were plenty of good days, including a magnificent win in Strabane Park and a superb effort at Instonians that ended in a galling defeat, but a few crushing losses as well, at home to both Donemana and Eglinton in particular.

Professional Brown enjoyed a solid summer, the South African hitting 902 runs for an average of over 48 and claiming 41 wickets at less than 16 apiece however the bowling honours were topped by Andy Britton. The seamer recorded an impressive 47 wickets at an equally notable cost of just 15 runs apiece while Jonny Robinson chipped in with 35 at less than 20 each.

Young Heywood added 29 victims at less than 25 runs apiece as he continues to develop into the spearhead of the attack. Skipper Allen followed Brown home in the batting stakes, the left hander just 3 short of 600 runs for an average of more than 35, while Milligan and Robinson also went over the 400 mark for their summer.

The support act all rallied around too with Dean McCarter, Mark Mooney and Johnny Heywood stepping up to the plate at various times and Graeme McCarter would surely have made an impact had he played a full summer.

In much the same way as Bready had threatened to get over the winning line for a few seasons so too Fox Lodge are developing the look of true contenders. The fact that they are also a side that refuses to be drawn into the paid player bracket is to their credit as their focus continues to be on developing their own.

Consistency, as always, will be the key but if they keep the nucleus of this squad together it isn’t difficult to see the Ballymagorry boys following Bready’s lead in the not-too-distant future.

BATTING
D Brown 23-4-902-48.42- 3x100, 3x50
B Allen 20-3-597-35.11- 1x100, 3x50
J Milligan 20-2-441-26.45- 2x50
J Robinson 20-2-408- 24.13- 1x50

BOWLING
A Britton 156-21-708-47-15.06
D Brown 131-15-646-41-15.75
J Robinson 153-15-646-41-15.75
G Heywood 170-21-722-29-24.89