Ballymena achieved their ultimate goal yet again in 2012 - survival!

The Eaton Park side are fully aware of their limitations and adopt a siege mentality from the first ball of the season. They have that advantage over many sides, and yet again following early wins, confidence grew and at one stage they appeared in contention for an outside tilt at the title.

Their challenge eventually petered out into mid table respectability, and a close look at the stats show a side with a decent batting line up but a very brittle bowling attack severely lacking in quality, depth, penetration and variation.

Professional Kausik Aphale dominated the batting stakes, scoring 7 of the 14 half centuries and 2 of the 3 hundreds made during the year. He scored 681 runs at a very healthy 85.12.

The Kennedy clan were as ever consistent with David making three 50's in his total of 367 at 26.21, while James scored a century as he reached 315 at 20.20.

The big bonus for Ballymena was the all-round form of teenager Robert McKinley who was pretty reliable in scoring 303 runs at 20.20. He also showed his capability with the ball taking 19 wickets at 28.68.

The leading wicket taker was Steve Lazars who claimed 22 at 20.91, while others of note were Michael Glass with 15 at 28.60, and Aphale with 12 at 33.25.

There's no doubt that 2013 will bring similar challenges at Eaton Park, but with team spirit and togetherness in abundance, they will fancy their chances of avoiding the drop yet again. If they have ambitions above that, then serious investment in player personnel will be required - but that's not their ethos, and perhaps rightly so.

Batting
Kaushik Aphale - 681 @ 85.12
David Kennedy - 367 @ 26.21
James Kennedy - 315 @ 39.38
Robert McKinley - 303 @ 20.20

Bowling
Steve Lazars - 22 @ 20.91
Robert McKinley - 19 @ 28.68
Michael Glass - 15 @ 28.60
Kaushik Aphale - 12 @ 33.25