Rupert Peter Owens Drysdale, became just the third Bay of Plenty representative cricket player to play 100 games for his province, when he took to Owen Delany Park in Taupo against Waikato Valley on Mondayat the annual ND T20 tournament.

To put his achievement in perspective, Drysdale numbers amongst 549 players that have worn the blue and gold provincial cricket colours, since Bay of Plenty made their NZ Cricket minor association debut against South Auckland at Seddon Park in Hamilton in 1932.

Drysdale, who wears Bay of Plenty player number 498 with absolute pride, made his BOP debut at the ND One-Day tournament in Taupo against Hamilton on November 25 2009.

The 2009 Taupo tournament team, was captained by former Black Cap Llorne Howell with Jono Boult, Bharat Popli, Ben Williams, Richard Rice, Steven Rae, Brett Hampton, Daniel Hill, Te Ahu Davis, Tony Goodin, Andrew Gibbs and Peter Drysdale in the playing twelve - with Hampton, Davis and Drysdale making their Bay of Plenty debuts.

No player has played more games with Drysdale, than current Mount Maunganui premier captain and teammate Dale Swan, who played with Pete in the Bay team in the 2009/10 season. 'When Pete first joined the Bay side his drive and sheer determination was apparent, it showed in the brand of cricket he played early on in his career”.

'A start with the bat was never good enough, he could always do more. No one trains harder or with more focus. Pete has grown as a cricketer to become firstly the most successful Bay of Plenty captain and secondly one of the most revered all round cricketers in the Bay of Plenty region. Born to lead and genuine passion, Pete deserves every ounce of success that comes his way and massive congratulations on 100 games and no doubt plenty more to come”.

Included in Drysdale century of appearances are a record 13 Hawke Cup matches, in which he became the most successful Bay of Plenty Hawke Cup captain, winning the time-honored NZ Cricket prize on two occasions and defending a further seven times. The Bay Hawke Cup skipper blasted 524 Hawke Cup runs and set a second wicket partnership record of 197, with Alex Lees against Counties Manukau in 2017.

Tim Clarke, who played 77 games in the blue and gold strip between 2010 and 2018, reflected back on his time in the Bay first eleven with Pete.

'I was lucky enough to play every single one of my Bay games with Pete, with our playing together dating back to our days at Tauranga Intermediate School.

"Pete always had a work ethic second to none and his drive to succeed is unimaginable. From a struggling side in 2010 to arguably the most successful Bay team a few seasons later, must be credited to Pete's contribution and his leadership". The team culture was fantastic through those years and the ongoing legacy has been awesome for the current crop of players.

"Pete transformed our training ethic for the purpose of what we wanted to achieve. He didn't do it through talking but through his actions as captain, which created a close bond through the five or so seasons that he had the captain's role".

One of the newer members of the Bay of Plenty representative side, is Stephen Crossan who received his 25 Bay game baggie, against Northland in November.

'Since my first Bay training, it was clear how driven Pete is to succeed. Every training has a purpose and Pete will continue to train until he feels that purpose has been achieved or his team mates arms fall off.

'Pete's work ethic is second to none and since I've been in the Bay setup, that has only increased inspiring the younger squad members, to hit more balls, take more catches and do whatever it takes to improve.

'An incredible team man that would give anything for the side. If you had to pick someone for a crisis, either bat or ball in hand, he's your man”.

Peter Drysdale's 100th game has produced the remarkable statistics of 3215 runs, three centuries with a highest score of 119 along with 24 wickets.

RPO Drysdale – BOPCA Player Number 498 (100 Games Record)

Debut v Hamilton 15 November 2009 (ND One-Day Tournament)

100 Games v Waikato Valley 16 December 2019 (ND T20 Tournament

Games 100 Runs 3215 Centuries 3 HS 119 Wickets 24 BB 3/8

BOPCA Centurions

105 Derek (DA) Beard – BOPCA Player Number 345

Debut v Hamilton 30/31 January 1981 100^th Game v Northland 10/11 Jan 1987

102 Michael (MJE) Wright - BOPCA Player Number 249

Debut v Poverty Bay 30/31 January 1967 100^th Game v Hamilton 23/24 Nov 1991