When Brigade announced their choice of overseas professional for 2011, many eyebrows were raised in certain quarters about their choice - Ata-Ur-Rehman. The former Pakistan Test bowler had a chequered past, and if truth be told looked every one of his 36 years and more.

While he was signed primarily as a bowler, it was his batting which was prove a revelation, as he smashed his way to the top of the Beechgrove sides averages.

Rehman turned in two performances which effectively won his side the title - first he rescued his side from a seemingly hopeless position in their away encounter at Coleraine, making an invaluable 78, adding to an equally important 73 in the corresponding home fixture.

However it was his savage 103 at home to Limavady in the T20 encounter which effectively was the league decider for which he'll be best remembered. He clubbed his way to 103 as Brigade scored a mammoth 253 for 2 to take pole position in the title race, a spot which they never relinquished.

While the title was most welcome, there's still the sense of Paradise Lost at Brigade with their semi-final defeat in the Bob Kerr Irish Senior Cup at home to Waringstown, the eventual winners. They couldn't chase down 150, batting like 'rabbits in headlights' according to one experienced NW cricket watcher.

The Brigade square came in for a lot of criticism in the aftermath of that defeat, with one local wag describing it as only fit for feeding goats! Brigade of course had the last laugh shortly after with their record T20 score.

Brigade's batting was fragile at times, with their brittle middle order often exposed. Rehman topped the averages with 772 runs at an average of 51.50 (66 fours, 33 sixes, 734 balls!), while Chris Dougherty was the top run scorer, 853 at 44.89 (99 fours, 29 sixes, 1207 balls).

Ifty Hussain chipped in with 765 at 38.22, while Gareth McKeegan overcame a poor start to contribute 443 at 24.61. Others worthy of a mention are Johnny Thompson with 341 at 21.31, and Mattie Moran 181 at 22.62.

Brigade's success over the last decade has always been built around the strength of their bowling attack, and 2011 was no exception. The quintet of Mark Simpson, Johnny Thompson, Ata-Ur-Rehman, Ifty Hussain and Trevor Britton bowled all their overs bar 84, an incredible statistic over the course of a complete campaign,

Hussain topped the averages claiming 42 wickets at 12.97, with skipper Mark Simpson closely behind with 40 at 17.55. Johnny Thompson bowled better than his figures of 36 at 22.83 suggests, while Trevor Britton will be moderately happy with his haul of 33 at 18.03. Rehman followed up his batting exploits with 32 wickets at 23.43.

2012 will see Brigade again among the favourites to claim major trophies, epecially if they can add some batting power to their middle order, while a sixth bowler would make an already strong attack even more formidable.

BRIGADE BATTING
Ata-Ur-Rehman 772 runs at 51.46
Chris Dougherty 853 at 44.89
Ift Hussain 765 at 38.25
Gareth McKeegan 443 at 24.61

BOWLING
Ifty Hussain 42 wkts at 12.97
Mark Simpson 40 at 17.55
Trevor Britton 33 at 18.03
Johnny Thompson 36 at 22.83
Ata-Ur-Rehman 32 at 23.43