Bangor survive late wobble to secure Premiership return

Bangor came perilously close to doing a “Devon Loch” in the closing stages of their Section One promotion challenge, but ultimately staggered over the line in second place to secure a return to the NCU Premiership.

For much of the season they looked well placed to take one of the two promotion spots, only for a nervous run-in to threaten to undo months of good work. In the end they did enough, although the manner in which they finished will have served as a warning of the considerable step up awaiting them in 2027.

Brodie Harrison was central to their success and enjoyed an outstanding all-round campaign. He passed the 1,000-run mark at an average of 63, including an unbeaten 172, five half-centuries and 53 sixes.

He was also Bangor’s leading wicket-taker with 34 at 22.68, making the overseas professional's contribution difficult to overstate.

Sebastian Yeates provided 537 runs, while Sam McMillan scored 513, including an unbeaten century. Ian Butler contributed 421, Andrew Kirkpatrick 409 at 37.18 and Mark Hutchinson 397 at 39.70, giving Bangor enough depth in the upper and middle order to build competitive totals regularly.

The bowling was productive at Section One level, although the statistics also highlight an area likely to require strengthening.

Behind Harrison, George Prince claimed 33 wickets at 20.24, Angus Farrell took 32 at 21.09 and Chris Pyper 31 at 21.26. All four carried a substantial workload, but thereafter the wicket-taking returns fell away sharply.

That lack of depth could become particularly significant in the Premiership, where batting orders are deeper and mistakes are punished more ruthlessly. Bangor appear to need at least one, and preferably two, additional frontline bowling options if they are to compete effectively over a full top-flight campaign.

The club are already understood to be working on recruitment, with experienced players who have operated at the highest level believed to be among their targets.

Promotion nevertheless represents a major achievement and gives Bangor the opportunity they wanted. The challenge now is ensuring the return does not prove brief. The core of a competitive batting unit is already there, headed by the exceptional Harrison, but the Premiership will demand considerably more.

Bangor got away with their late-season wobble. Strengthening wisely over the winter could determine whether they also survive the much tougher examination to come.

BANGOR – TOP 10 BATTERS

1. Brodie Harrison – 1,008 runs, average 63.00, HS 172*, 1 hundred, 5 fifties  
2. Sebastian Yeates – 537 runs, average 31.59, HS 83*, 3 fifties  
3. Samuel McMillan – 513 runs, average 24.43, HS 109*, 1 hundred, 2 fifties  
4. Ian Butler – 421 runs, average 28.07, HS 54*, 2 fifties  
5. Andrew Kirkpatrick – 409 runs, average 37.18, HS 77*, 3 fifties  
6. Mark Hutchinson – 397 runs, average 39.70, HS 114, 1 hundred  
7. Felix McMillan – 110 runs, average 15.71, HS 29  
8. Angus Farrell – 104 runs, average 10.40, HS 36  
9. George Prince – 60 runs, average 20.00, HS 25*  
10. Jonathan Parker – 57 runs, average 9.50, HS 27  

BANGOR – TOP 10 BOWLERS

1. Brodie Harrison – 34 wickets, average 22.68, BBI 4-23  
2. George Prince – 33 wickets, average 20.24, BBI 6-20  
3. Angus Farrell – 32 wickets, average 21.09, BBI 4-28  
4. Christopher Pyper – 31 wickets, average 21.26, BBI 6-24  
5. Sebastian Yeates – 10 wickets, average 35.70, BBI 2-29  
6. Mark Best – 9 wickets, average 30.78, BBI 3-37  
7. Josh Bates – 8 wickets, average 9.50, BBI 6-58  
8. William Simpson – 8 wickets, average 26.63, BBI 2-12  
9. Michael Skelly – 7 wickets, average 32.71, BBI 3-17  
10. Ian Butler – 6 wickets, average 20.33, BBI 3-6