It turned out to be a strange sort of season for Sion Mills as the Tyrone men won just once in the first two months of the season before improving in the second half to finish with six league victories in all.

Things started poorly for them before a ball was bowled; the very talented John Browne ruled out for the summer owing to a serious domestic situation while Lee McGonigle also failed to make it on to the field having suffered a bizarre injury before the campaign started.

To their credit however they kept chipping away as several new faces emerged into the senior ranks and the final points tally will certainly give rise to the hope that they can improve for the experience. One of those new faces was Kevin Gallagher, younger brother of former Strabane and current Phoenix player Ryan Gallagher. The teenager only came into the side in July but still managed 222 runs at an average just short of 25 although he was just outpointed in that department by Andy Lucas who made 356 runs at fractions better.

Lucas had a good summer for Sion and is another young man who could have a big say in the club's fortunes over the next few seasons as could Ryan O'Neill whose 259 runs also came at a decent average.

Lee Finlay topped the bowling honours with 21 wickets at a cost of less than 20 runs each with Mark Patterson next best with 17 victims. Given the circumstances it was a solid enough showing in the end but talisman Browne suggested last week that the club remains fully committed to giving the youngsters in the area every chance to hone their skills.

Lee McGonigle intends to play first team cricket next season but former skipper Browne hopes to be accommodated by the North West Union to step down and help bring those youngsters along.

They may be some way from the heady days when Sion Mills dominated North West cricket but the game remains alive and well for now and that is an accomplishment in itself.

BATTING

A Lucas 16-2-356-25.43

BOWLING

L Finlay 111-403-21-19.19