Drysdale replaced Barwon Heads on top of the BPCA A2 Grade ladder with a thrilling win on Saturday January 13.
The competition’s two best sides fought out a high-scoring game at RT Fuller Oval, Barwon Heads, with Drysdale getting home with one wicket and one delivery in hand.
Earlier, Heads’ young gun Charlie Hurst made a brilliant unbeaten 113 from 104 deliveries in his side’s total of 3/200 from 40 overs.
Brent McMinn made 31, but the innings belonged to Hurst, who hit 11 boundaries and two sixes.
Drysdale lost hard-hitting opener Charlie Clode early, but captain Nick Hallam and Jason Malcolm (43) played beautifully until Hallam top edged a ball into his right eye.
Hallam was forced to retire hurt on 63 and was taken to hospital and discharged overnight.
Drysdale looked to be cruising, but a flurry of wickets meant it needed 11 from the final over with one wicket in hand.
Hayden Eddy stepped up to hit the penultimate ball for four over mid-on to give the Hawks a stirring win.
Slow bowlers Matt High (3/30) and Sam Schaller (1/19 from eight overs) delivered for Barwon Heads.
Hallam said he was cleared of any fracture to his eye socket and was feeling sore on Sunday morning, but was pleased with the win.
“(It) was a good game in the heat from both sides and a really positive win from our guys,” he said.
“Barwon Heads batted very well and Charlie Hurst’s hundred was a very classy knock.
“I was really proud of our guys to push through and take the game as deep as possible and not to panic.
“We’ve been able to adapt quite well from one day cricket back to two-day cricket as well as the stop start nature to the first half of the year.
“Our group is very close and has built a strong culture of backing each other in and being really positive.”
Hallam was particularly happy with 15-year-old seamer Eddy.
“For Hayden Eddy to come in and bowl first change into the wind along with hitting the winning runs in a partnership with Will Ritchie was very exciting for the future,” he said.
For Barwon Heads, the only chink in its armour seems to be the lack of a strike quick bowler.
The batting is deep and powerful and the side will be more suited to the 75-over format where its slow bowlers can operate without any restrictions in overs.
