Graham Kennedy is setting a formidable standard in the North West Championship bowling charts, with the Ballyspallen all-rounder leading the way after a superbly consistent campaign.
Kennedy has taken 25 wickets from 79.1 overs at a miserly average of just 9.12, with an economy rate of 2.88. His best return of 5 for 24 is one of the standout spells of the season, but just as impressive is his control: 14 maidens, the most among the leading wicket-takers, underline how difficult he has been to score from.
Glendermott skipper Ted Britton is close behind on 23 wickets and has also been outstanding, averaging 10.57 with a sharp strike rate of 16.6. His best of 5 for 28 helped cement his place among the division’s most dangerous bowlers, while nine maidens reflect a fine balance of threat and discipline.
Killyclooney skipper Timothy Dougherty sits third with 22 wickets from 84 overs. His average of 20.95 is higher than those above him, but his workload and consistency have been vital to Killyclooney’s campaign. He has backed up his runs with important wickets, leading from the front in typically combative fashion.
Glendermott’s strength with the ball is one of the major stories of the table. Alongside Britton, Big Ben Mills has taken 21 wickets at 15.67, while Craig Averill has arguably the most eye-catching average on the list. Averill’s 18 wickets have cost just 8.39 apiece, and his strike rate of 13.0 is the best among the leading group. Add in Alex Boyd’s 16 wickets, including 5 for 21, and Alan Johnson’s 13, and Glendermott’s depth is clear.
Eglinton’s Robbie Millar has also impressed, claiming 19 wickets at 15.79, with a best of 4 for 24. Team-mate Kyle Moore has 14 wickets, though at a more expensive economy rate of 6.30.
Bonds Glen’s Dharm Singh has been another proven match-winner, taking 18 wickets at 13.06, including a five-wicket haul of 5 for 22. Heinrich Roberts has also chipped in with 13 wickets.
Ardmore have multiple names among the leading pack, with Sadiq Safi on 16 wickets, Conor Brolly and Conor King both on 13, and Matt Cuffe also reaching 13. Brolly’s economy rate of 3.55 stands out, while Safi’s strike rate of 16.1 shows his attacking value.
Ballyspallen’s strength does not end with Kennedy. Michael O’Brien has 14 wickets and the best individual figures on the list with a sensational 5 for 8, while Hassan Shahid and Stuart Kennedy have 13 wickets each.
Further down, Burndennett’s Mohammed Saghir has taken 15 wickets, while Killyclooney’s Jason Wallace and Cody Mehaffey remain important wicket-taking options.
But the headline belongs to Graham Kennedy: leading wicket-taker, best economy rate, most maidens, and an average below 10. On those numbers, he has been the Championship’s benchmark bowler.
CHAMPIONSHIP BOWLING AVERAGES
Name
Club
Wickets
Average
Graham Kennedy Ballyspallen 25 9.12 Trevor Britton Glendermott 23 10.57 Timothy Dougherty Killyclooney 22 20.95 Ben Mills Glendermott 21 15.67 Robbie Millar Eglinton 19 15.79 Craig Averill Glendermott 18 8.39 Dharm Singh Bonds Glen 18 13.06 Sadiq Safi Ardmore 16 14.19 Alex Boyd Glendermott 16 15.94 Mohammed Saghir Burndennett 15 26.27 Kyle Moore Eglinton 14 20.71 Michael O'Brien Ballyspallen 14 24.64 Jason Wallace Killyclooney 14 26.36 Conor Brolly Ardmore 13 13.92 Conor King Ardmore 13 15.54 Matt Cuffe Ardmore 13 18.38 Heinrich Roberts Bonds Glen 13 18.85 Hassan Shahid Ballyspallen 13 20.85 Alan Johnson Glendermott 13 25.46 Stuart Kennedy Ballyspallen 13 28.08 Cody Mehaffey Killyclooney 13 29.85
