ST JOHNSTON
You usually know what you're going to get at the Boathole and more often than not you know who's going to get it too and 2012 was little different.
The Saints were the only side to really test the runaway league winners and David MacBeth's side should certainly have won one if not both of their tussles with the Villagers.
They did manage to claim silverware themselves however as the Sperrin Springs cup made its way back over the border after a nervous win against Drummond at Beechgrove.
Truth to tell the Donegal side are probably happy enough to stay where they are for a year or two yet however and give a bit more experience to their youngsters who have broken through into the senior team. Michael Rankin (364 runs), David Lapsley (20 wickets), Ryan MacBeth (18 wickets) and Ethan Lapsley (16 wickets) all played their part in a good summer however it was the usual suspects who led the way once more.
Alan MacBeth claimed the family bragging rights with the bat, hitting 564 runs at a very decent average of nearly 38. Ian proved the pick with the ball, weighing in with 37 wickets at a cost of less than 16 runs each while David was the top all-rounder with 531 runs and 28 wickets in a profitable summer chez MacBeth.
Elsewhere, Andrew Fleming was just shy of 400 runs with 16 wickets to boot while Sachin Dixit chipped in with 318 runs at just short of 25 a time.
The Donegal side seemed to struggle more than most with the weather this season and as a consequence played a lot of games on the mat but to their credit it didn't seem to affect the momentum.
More of the same next season no doubt and they will be nobody's mugs in the race for League 1 honours.
Batting
A MacBeth 564 runs at an average of 37.6 (4x50) highest score 92*
D MacBeth 531 runs at an average of 28 (1x50, 1x100) highest score 155
A Fleming 396 runs at an average of 28.3 (2x50) highest score 97
I MacBeth 390 runs at an average of 27.9 (2x50) highest score 82
M Rankin 364 runs at an average of 28 (3x50) highest score 80
Bowling
I MacBeth 37 wickets at an average of 15.8, best of 6-24
D MacBeth 28 wickets at an average of 17.3, best of 4-62
D Lapsley 20 wickets at an average of 31.7, best of 3-10
