EGLINTON

A well publicised big year for the Villagers this with a Sammy Jeffrey win to add to the Division 2 championship but it was all about promotion back to the top flight.

Without that, Karl O'Doherty's men would have felt that their season's work was incomplete despite the two trophies, however the play-off win over Glendermott made it very much a case of job done.

Many believed that Eglinton were unlucky to be relegated last year and there was no mistaking the level of their dominance in the second tier. 12 wins from 12 matches was as much as they could have done although it has to be acknowledged they were pushed right to the wire in both matches against St Johnston.

O'Doherty's team also reached the final of the Ulster Shield, losing out in the most unfortunate circumstances possible against Muckamore. They tested Donemana in their senior cup clash as well but there was little doubt that the emphasis remained on promotion despite the distractions.

The end of season figures emphasise their dominance although they may be perhaps a shade distorted by the fact that the villagers played 24 games in all competitions in 2012.

Richard Wylie, what a year he had, passed 1000-runs for the season in making the last of his 8 half centuries in the play-off to finish with an average of close to 63. Christopher Pierce was also in superb form, the big opener posting 862 for an average of over 45 while Stephen Smyth quietly passed 500 for the year at over 52 a time.

Two other batsmen made the Division's top 20- Andy Christie with 468 and Andy Pierce (301) as the runs fairly flowed throughout the summer.

Wylie was in the mix in the bowling stakes as well, an impressive 33 wickets at an average of less than 18 however Jonny Gardiner claimed the honours here with 42 wickets at a cost of less than 13 runs each.

Neal Stewart with 30, Stephen Smyth with 26 and promising youngster Ross Allen with 18 also made the list as Eglinton celebrated a very profitable summer.

Batting
R Wylie 1004 runs at an average of 62.8 (8x50, 1x100) highest score 116
C Pierce 862 runs at an average of 45.4 (6x50, 1x100) highest score 101
S Smyth 577 runs at an average of 52.5 (3x50, 1x100) highest score 105*
A Christie 468 runs at an average of 24.6 (2x50, 1x100) highest score 100*
A Pierce 301 runs at an average of 20 (1x50) highest score 85

Bowling
J Gardiner 42 wickets at an average of 12.9, best of 5-43
R Wylie 33 wickets at an average of 17.9, best of 5-16
N Stewart 30 wickets at an average of 20.3, best of 4-25
S Smyth 26 wickets at an average of 12.8, best of 4-26