Cregagh left counting the cost of a season without stability

Cregagh endured a difficult 2026 campaign, finishing ninth in NCU Section One after a season in which they were rarely able to field anything resembling a settled side.

The most striking statistic was the number of players used. An extraordinary 35 appeared for the first team during the campaign — comfortably more than any other senior side in the country.

Whether that represented enviable depth or, more realistically, a struggle to identify a consistent core is open to interpretation. What is clear is that the constant changes made it difficult to build combinations, momentum or the cohesion needed to climb the table.

Peter Davison finished as Cregagh’s leading run-scorer with 388 at an average of 25.87, including two half-centuries and a highest score of 84. Bob Moore added 355 runs and Alastair Watt 352, but both averaged below 20, while Max Shannon contributed 248 and Ben Browne 226.

There were some useful contributions further down, notably Aaron Johnston’s 214 runs at 42.80 from only seven innings, while Stuart Nelson and Adam Beattie also showed flashes of promise. The problem was that those contributions came too sporadically.

Cregagh rarely had enough players producing runs at the same time and, with so many changes to personnel, the batting order never developed the continuity enjoyed by the stronger sides in the division.

The bowling had slightly more encouraging signs.

Danny Cooper was excellent, taking 22 wickets at just 14.45, including two five-wicket hauls, while Watt also claimed 22 wickets. Daniel Henry and Shannon both finished with 17, and Browne produced one of the individual performances of the season with seven for 54.

Yet even there, the lack of a settled attack was obvious. Too many different combinations were tried, and too often the burden fell on a small number of regular contributors. Ninth place was therefore a fair reflection of a season that never really settled.

For 2027, the priority must be continuity. Cregagh need to identify a dependable core, reduce the weekly churn in selection and give players defined roles. There is enough ability within the squad to improve markedly, but unless the revolving door slows, progress will remain difficult.

CREGAGH – TOP 10 BATTERS

1. Peter Davison – 388 runs, average 25.87, HS 84, 2 fifties  
2. Bob Moore – 355 runs, average 17.75, HS 57, 2 fifties  
3. Alastair Watt – 352 runs, average 19.56, HS 50, 1 fifty  
4. Max Shannon – 248 runs, average 22.55, HS 68, 1 fifty  
5. Ben Browne – 226 runs, average 16.14, HS 27  
6. Danny Cooper – 218 runs, average 16.77, HS 40  
7. Aaron Johnston – 214 runs, average 42.80, HS 49*  
8. Stuart Nelson – 191 runs, average 27.29, HS 34*  
9. Adam Beattie – 162 runs, average 23.14, HS 53, 1 fifty  
10. Daniel Henry – 155 runs, average 14.09, HS 42*  

CREGAGH – TOP 10 BOWLERS

1. Danny Cooper – 22 wickets, average 14.45, BBI 5-12  
2. Alastair Watt – 22 wickets, average 32.27, BBI 4-27  
3. Daniel Henry – 17 wickets, average 21.71, BBI 4-17  
4. Max Shannon – 17 wickets, average 29.47, BBI 3-41  
5. Peter Davison – 15 wickets, average 38.20, BBI 3-18  
6. Andrew Nelson – 11 wickets, average 27.64, BBI 3-29  
7. Ben Browne – 8 wickets, average 10.88, BBI 7-54  
8. Zedd Khan – 7 wickets, average 16.29, BBI 4-36  
9. Bob Moore – 5 wickets, average 45.40, BBI 3-65  
10. Graeme Hassard – 4 wickets, average 51.00, BBI 2-33