Having struggled with the bat on the first two days of the carnival in losses against Murray Valley and Geelong, Bendigo had contributions all through the order yesterday as it made 8-237.

In reply, Traralgon was bowled out for 177 in the 38th over, with the victory moving Bendigo off the bottom of the Provincial Group ladder and giving it a chance of avoiding relegation.

“We did well today in batting our overs out and having some good partnerships along the way,” a relieved Bendigo coach Max Taylor said.

“Everyone contributed and we were able to get a win on the board, which we obviously needed.”

After winning the toss and batting, Bendigo had seven players make more than 20, but none post a half-century.

All-rounder Sam Johnston again showed why he has been the find of the week as he top-scored with an unbeaten 49 at No.7.

Johnston started his innings in the 35th over with Bendigo at 5-119 and he faced just 43 balls, hitting one four and two sixes.

The 21-year-old has batted three times this carnival for scores of 47, 28 and 49 n.o., and with 124 runs, only Traralgon’s Robert Webber with 195 has made more in Provincial Group.

Johnston, Jonathan Davidson (21 off 17) and Ben DeAraugo (25 n.o. off 18) were the key players in lifting Bendigo’s score from 6-131 in the 36th over to 237.

Earlier, opener Jason Abbott (24 off 20), Cameron Taylor (31 off 67), Dom Taylor (22 off 51) and one of the carnival’s oldest players, Brad Orton (31 off 21), all got starts in the top order.

In its chase, Traralgon always posed a threat while hard-hitting opener Robert Webber was at the crease.

Webber blasted 85 off just 76 balls, including eight boundaries and six sixes, in an entertaining knock.

However, when he was caught and bowled by leg-spinner Cameron Taylor in the 28th over to leave the score 5-149, it signalled the beginning of the end for Traralgon.