2012 wasn't the greatest of seasons on or off the field for Lisburn, with the club attracting widespread criticism over their decision to opt for a bowl-out rather than switch their cup game to Waringstown.
The quality of the Lisburn square also came up for discussion on more than one occasion despite the best efforts of the Wallace Park ground staff who were battling against one of the worst summers on record.
(Update - Lisburn CC have asked me to point out that they have spent £8,000 in August upgrading their square.)
In the league the club won six of their games to finish on 24 points and a sixth place position above Carrickfergus and Ballymena.
The lack of runs at the club is evidenced by the fact that they registered only a total of 11 half centuries and a solitary century - Nathan Waller's memorable 103 against Instonians at Shaw's Bridge in late May.
The signing of Irish passport holding Zimbabwean Waller was something of a coup for Lisburn - following a well worn policy at the club in recent years.
Waller showed glimpses of his undoubted talent but obviously Lisburn would have wished him to be much more consistent. In total he hit 426 runs at 35.50. One interesting statistic is that he cleared the boundary ropes 28 times - the other 21 players used by Lisburn managed just 26 between them!
South African professional Darryl Brown was the leading run scorer at the club. He overcame a shaky start to make 526 runs at 37.57, making 5 fifties along the way, which saw him placed 15th in the NCU run aggregates.
The rest of the batting didn't exactly set the world on fire with David Simpson (295 at 21.07), Greg Thompson (254 at 23.04) and Robert Rankin (249 at 15.56) all capable of much better returns.
The bowling was marginally better with three players making the top 20 NCU list.
Skipper Simpson led the way in 7th slot with 26 wickets at 17.69, followed by Waller and Brown who both claimed 21 wickets at 19.19 and 20.67 respectively.
Greg Thompson was the only other player worthy of a mention taking 16 at 22.39.
Thompson of course is off to pastures new in 2013, having announced his defection to Waringstown last month. Depending on how they recruit over the close season, one feels the fortcoming campaign could well be one of struggle for them.
Batting
Darryl Brown 526 at 37.57
Nathan Waller 426 at 35.50
David Simpson 295 at 21.07
Greg Thompson 254 at 23.04
Robert Rankin 249 at 15.56
Bowling
David Simpson 26 at 17.69
Nathan Waller 21 at 19.19
Darryl Brown 21 at 20.67
Greg Thompson 16 at 22.39
