STRABANE

The Red Caps were another side to threaten more than they delivered although in their defence a double blow in the first half of the season completely upset the balance of the side.

Many felt that Strabane's top 6 were as good as any in the league however a dispute between the club and Niall McDonnell robbed them of the opener for all but the first couple of matches.

Peter Gillespie was promoted to the top of the order and the former Ireland International did a steady job with 577 runs at an average of over 32. Kevin Martin struggled early on but a couple of good knocks in the latter half took him up to 444 runs at an average of 26.

Professional Faisal Iqbal looked the real deal too and hopes were high that Strabane might be OK despite being a batsman light but Pakistan came calling for Iqbal for a tour of Sri Lanka and the rhythm was upset again. After a couple of matches without an overseas man Waqar Orakzai came in and did a useful job but the stop-start run was taking it's toll.

The middle order was badly out of touch too and with Peter opening it was left to Mark to try to shore things up and it didn't always come off. The latter posted 425 at 25 but by the time Iqbal returned to Tyrone the damage had pretty much been done.

Martin Deans' team was still in the running for the title but a really poor defeat at home to Coleraine put paid to that and the season seemed to fizzle out thereafter.

Despite playing just 12 times Iqbal blasted 554 runs at an average of 69.3 and looked a player of real quality except when he bowled.

Phil Eaglestone on the other hand looked very dangerous with the new ball and his 41 wickets at 16 apiece was best by some way. Tommy Barr with 24 at 22 was next best with only Ryan Patton (17) and Mark Gillespie (16) able to make much inroads apart from them.

Strabane are better than this and but for those early season hiccups would have been favourites for the title so you would suspect that much soul-searching is required during the winter.

Batting
P Gillespie 577 runs at an average of 32.1 (3x50, 1x100) highest score 112*
F Iqbal 554 runs at an average of 69.3 (7x50) highest score 77*
K Martin 444 runs at an average of 26.1 (2x50) highest score 95
M Gillespie 425 runs at an average of 25 (3x50) highest score 58


Bowling
P Eaglestone 41 wickets at an average of 16, best of 7-24
T Barr 24 wickets at an average of 22, best of 3-10