Dragons fire to sink the Heat: VPL Northcote v Frankston.

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Northcote's season has begun on a high with a six-wicket win over Frankston in round one of the Premier League at the Bill Lawry Oval. Set a target of 194 the youthful Dragons chased down the total with 23 balls to spare thanks largely to an 90 run partnership between Chris Dent (pictured above) 52 and Ben Peake 48. Aidan March 32no and Dylan Grendall 25no steered Northcote across the line with an un-beaten half-century partnership to sink the Heat's fortunes.

Batting first Frankston began well with openers Jayde Herrick 36 and Michael McClean 13 putting on 42 before wickets began to fall regularly. Peake claimed the valuable scalp of Frankston skipper Matthew Chasemore 24 and apart from Samuel Wiese 47 there was little joy for the Heat's batsmen.Liam Scammell was the chief destroyer for the Dragons taking 4-27 from 7.3 overs in his first game for the club.




In windy conditions the Dragons run chase began well despite the early wicket of Victorian state squad member Matthew Short (8) when the score was twenty-two. It brought together Gloucestershire import Dent and all-rounder Peake. They combined in a 90-run partnership which all but snuffed out any hope Frankston had of a win.
Frankston did hit back to snare the pair and all of a sudden those wheels that fell off consistently last year for the Dragons were loosening again. When Ben Abbatangelo was brilliantly caught by Herrick off former Hawthorn Monash paceman Simon Black the Dragons were 4 for 144 still fifty runs short.
However, March was joined by Grandell who batted the Dragons across the line with another half-century partnership. For Frankston Christopher McCormick, Jack Benbow, Black and Chasemore all grabbed a wicket each.
But for March it was pleasing to sing the song after the opening round. "It was great to get a win on the board early in the season", said March. "But there has been a lot of hard work, especially by David Reid (coach) and Mark Sundberg. They have facilitated a culture shift in the players and NCC community. Former East Albury paceman Scammell impressing his teammate. "Liam was great with the ball, taking early poles was exactly what we needed", March added. "He's had a massive impact on the club not only with his bowling but (along with Grant Waldron) as part of the fitness advisory group. Chris Dent has also been a great pick up, he looked amazing out there, he just had so much time to play the ball, and looked really comfortable in the green and gold".

"Its pretty early in the season, and with such a young group it's hard to predict how we will go, but with the feeling around the club I am excited to find out". said March. The Dragons will need all the confidence from the win next week when they take on St.Kilda at the Junction Oval while Frankston are at home to the Greenvale Kangaroos (formerly North Melbourne).