Drysdale all but secured a Geelong Bowls Region Saturday Pennant Division Premier finals spot with a tight win against Bell Post Hill in round nine on Saturday, January 20.
Two rinks were decided by just one shot, but Ash Rees skipped Drysdale to a 26 to 14 win to give his side the points.
The win opened up a 48-point break over fifth placed City of Geelong.
“We have put ourselves in a nice position so far with some great come-from-behind wins, our leaders have been great giving us a good start each week,” Rees said.
“Our new members Mark Godbolt, Luke Benson and Mark Nolan have fitted in nicely and will only get better from here. We look forward to the remaining five games and have the belief we can match anyone on the day.”
Rees’ teenage daughter Maya is a rising star and is playing an important role in the team. The 16-year-old is a Victorian Under 18 representative and medallist and is Drysdale’s reigning ladies club champion.
“It’s great to be able to play with Maya – couldn’t be prouder of her and how she goes about it,” Rees said.
“To be able to play a high standard competitive sport with your kids is fantastic and is a huge reason we love the sport.”
Rees’ rink of Aaron James (lead), Adrian Marston (second) and John Fry (third) knew it would be a close match.
“The boys have been solid all season, it’s a tough game now with only three rinks so you need to make the most of your opportunities and the boys did that,” he said.
“We always knew it would be a tight game. It was close all day on the overall board. Mark Godbolt’s rink were down 0-11 and came back to win the rink so that was a huge effort and the game winner.”
Drysdale’s attention now turns to second placed Highton this weekend. Only one point separates Drysdale from Queenscliff in third spot. They are just eight points behind Highton.
“We love playing Highton,” Rees said.
“We always have great competitive games with them and have been lucky enough to get over them earlier this year with a come from behind win at home. They are a solid side and we can’t wait to play Saturday and look to push into a top two spot.”
OCEAN GROVE defeated Queenscliff by 10 shots to move nine points clear in top spot on the ladder with Peter Loe winning by 10.
EASTERN PARK won its first game of the season with a convincing 23-shot win against Bareena with Nick Bell winning by 16.
HIGHTON scraped past a tenacious City of Geelong by three shots with no rink winning by more than two in a cliffhanger.
