A late four-wicket burst from veteran Drysdale seamer David Sykes has thrown the Bellarine Peninsula Cricket Association top three wide open.
Armstrong Creek will claim the minor premiership if it chases down Ocean Grove’s 8/144, but second placed Anglesea is four wickets down for six runs after Drysdale made 199.
Left-armer Sykes ripped through the top order and has the figures of four for none off two overs going into the final day of the home and away season.
If Barwon Heads successfully defends 220 against Jan Juc and the Seas get rolled, it means Anglesea will finish third and relinquish a home semi-final.
Jason Malcolm followed on from his 92 last round with 86 this week and youngster Hayden Eddy (41) made his highest A Grade score.
Dylan Taylor took 4/36 and Ben Harcombe 3/45, but there was no indication of the carnage that was about to follow.
Sykes ran through a rejigged top order although the Seas still have a lot of batting to come.
There is another important battle going on between fourth placed Barrabool and fifth placed Jan Juc.
Both teams are on 33 points although the Bulls have a superior percentage and a win would be enough to secure a finals spot.
However, that is far from assured even after they made 209 against Queenscliff. James Fisher (62) and Kane Pickering (59) got runs, but it was Ned Stephens’ stunning figures of 7/78 that stopped Barrabool from going big.
In reply, Queenscliff raced to 0/52 from 12 overs with veteran Toby Smith on 38.
Jan Juc needs to make 221 against Barwon Heads and Queenscliff to make 210 to play finals. In turn, the Heads need to win and hope Anglesea falter to claim second spot and a home semi.
The Heads’ young brigade were chiefly responsible for a final total of 220. Jaxon Mallett (44), keeper Matteo Surace (43) and Harry Hyland (40) all spent time at the crease although the most interesting part of the day was the bizarre dismissal of Jacko Mallett, who went to drive Joey Rew’s first delivery, but lost control of his bat, which fell to the ground and onto the stumps.
Sharks’ paceman Nicky Smith took 3/54 from 22 overs and Alex Jennings 3/32 from 17.
Armstrong Creek is on the verge of its maiden A1 Grade minor premiership, restricting Ocean Grove to 8/144 on a slow outfield at Ray Menzies Oval.
It was until late in the innings that Grove started to claw its way back into the contest with Dan Roddis (50) and Dylan Thorley (29 not out) launching a fightback.
In typical fashion, the Titans strangled their opposition. Clay Mulgrew has made the most of his increased appearances at the bowling crease, sending down 33 overs for 2/68 while none of the four bowlers used went for more than 2.3 runs per over.
There is another battle going on at the foot of the ladder. Drysdale, Queenscliff and Ocean Grove are all locked on 24 points. The bottom placed team will be relegated to A2 Grade.
