Gisborne held its nerve to sneak home against Wallan in the Gisborne and District Cricket Association McIntyre Cup on Saturday.
The match came down to the final ball of the innings, with the Magpies needing three runs for the win.
The Dragons were able to muster a run out to get the win by one run.
Dragons captain-coach Jarryd Vernon said it was a really good game of cricket.
“It was one run in the end,” he said.
“Leighroy [Brennan] is experienced and has been in that position a few times before.
“He was able to hold his nerve, bowling full and attacked the stumps.
“The fielders were deep and protecting the boundaries.”
The Dragons batted on day one of the match and made 9-249.
The Magpies started the day at 0-22 and took the game deep.
Vernon said the Magpies needed seven or eight off the final over to get the win.
“They needed two for a tie or three for a win off the last ball,” he said. “We got a run out as they were going for the second.”
The Magpies finished 8-248.
Riley Vernon was the pick of the bowlers with four wickets.
The skipper said a match like this when they were really tested was a good thing early in the season.
“We’re going along OK,” he said. “We’re going at 75-80 per cent as a team.
“To get challenged like that was good for us and hopefully holds us in good stead.
“There’s plenty of work from our group still to come.”
Vernon said they needed to work with both the bat and ball.
He said they showed some good signs with the bat in the first week of the match against the Magpies.
“Our batters were in trouble at 6-120 odd and it shows the depth and maturity of the group.
“Tom Mousley, who is 17, and in his second McIntyre Cup game, came out and played a role for us.
“Not every game is the top order going to get it done, it shows the depth we have.”
After six rounds, the Dragons sit second on the ladder, with four wins and two no results.
Vernon said knowing they still have plenty of improvement to come they can’t complain with the season so far.
“We have two games before the Christmas break and getting wins in both games will be the plan,” he said.
“We’ve got Woodend this week and they’re a good side. They’ll be looking to bounce back and we will have to go up another gear to get the win.”
In other matches, Rupertswood narrowly avoided an outright loss to Romsey.
The Redbacks resumed at 6-83 with an 18 run first innings lead.
They were bowled out for 122 and quickly sent Rupo back in.
Rupo finished with 180 in its second innings, leaving Romsey needing 124 for full points.
It finished 4-108.
Macedon beat Woodend, while Sunbury United was too strong for Broadford.
