Dragons fighting to stay in the hunt for finals action thanks to Abbatangelo ton.

Northcote have given themselves every chance to play finals this year after amassing almost three hundred against top side Footscray Edgewater in round fifteen of the Victorian Premier Cricket League at the Bill Lawry Oval. Thanks largely to a maiden century from Ben Abbatangelo (above), the Dragons will fancy their chances heading into day two next Saturday.

 On a green but firm wicket Northcote were in trouble early at two for eighteen after losing both openers cheaply. Abbatangelo was joined by skipper Steven Taylor and together the pair resurrected the Dragon's innings with a massive 172-run partnership.

The partnership was finally broken shortly after tea when Jake Haberfield trapped Taylor in front for 72. Abbatangelo brought his century up shortly after but was then brilliantly run out by Shanuka Dissanayaka when the score was 209.

 Footscray Edgewater got themselves back into the game claiming five Dragons wickets for just 31 runs to have the home side at 7-221. A 46-run partnership between keeper Blayde Baker, 38no, and tailender Chas Keogh, 21no, enabled the Dragons to post a sizeable score of 8-295 by stumps.

 The best of the Bulldogs bowlers was Jake Haberfield and Hamish Winter-Irving who both claimed 2-77. The top side will need to be at their best with the bat next week to reel in the total with the Dragons fighting to remain in the hunt for a spot in the Premier League finals.