Drysdale skipper Nick Hallam said his side failed to capitalise in the middle order against Ocean Grove and left a few runs in the shed.
In the first of the two-dayers at Steeline Ray Menzies Oval, the Hawks were all out for 183 with Ron Peillon (59), Jack Wilkinson (26) and Hallam (25) the top scorers.
“We needed someone in the top four to go on and make an 80 or 90,” Hallam said.
“They bowled pretty well. The opening bowlers bowled quite sharp and then through the middle order, we played some bad shots.
“We were motoring along, but we just lost wickets through that middle period. And you can’t do that. You can’t build big scores if you’re losing wickets even when the runs are coming.”
Ocean Grove leg-spinner Alex Mann took 3/58 from 17 overs and Dylan Thorley came on late to pick up 3/16 in what was the Grubbers’ best performance of the season so far.
Ocean Grove had 18 overs to negotiate before stumps and openers Shaun Fankhauser and Fletcher Long each faced 39 deliveries to reach 0/20 at the close.
The Grubbers need 165 for victory this weekend.
“We bowled well – Blake (Dobbin) bowled really, really well. Hayden Eddy at the other end bowled well,” Hallam said.
“We’ve bowled 18 overs for 20 runs. Early wickets are the key (next week). I think it will be decided in the first 20 or 30 overs.”
The Hawks kept a line of father and son playing A Grade together with Shane Cutajar lining up with young Oscar in just his second game.
It follows Robert and Jason Malcolm and David and Bailey Sykes as being father-sons to represent Drysdale in the top grade.
“It was an awesome thing,” Hallam said.
“Oscar’s turning into a really strong cricketer.”
BARRABOOL will resume at 0/21, needing another 175 for victory against Jan Juc. James Fisher the star for the Bulls with 6/50 from 21 overs after some resistance from Jack Taylor, who made 54 for the Sharks.
SPINNER Tom Beasley snared six wickets and skipper Dylan Taylor four for Anglesea. Armstrong Creek is in a reasonable position, though, with 193 on the board thanks to 55 from Ben Robertson and 43 from Clay Mulgrew.
QUEENSCLIFF made a competitive 9/203 against Barwon Heads with Hayden Illingworth (79) and Jordan Monahan (43) batting well. Heads skipper Dan Donaldson took 6/50 from 29 impeccable overs of leg-spin.
