IN more than 20 seasons of cricket with Bendigo, home and away wins haven't come much sweeter for captain Mark Ryan than last Saturday's stunning triumph over Bendigo United.
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Ryan defied a hamstring problem from bowling earlier in the day to spearhead a one-wicket win for the Goers against the Redbacks in their Bendigo District Cricket Association one-day match at Bendigo District RSL Oval.
Ryan scored an unbeaten 91 to help Bendigo fightback from 7-84 to score 9-200 in reply to the Redbacks' 5-199.
Also supporting Ryan as the Goers recovered late in the innings were Liam Gaskell (15) and No.11 Jotham Higgs (2 n.o.), who put on 34 for the last wicket with the skipper.
The win was just the Goers' second of the season and moved them off the bottom of the ladder.
Ryan, 43, hopes it will be the catalyst for a positive finish to the season for the Goers over their last four games.
"When I went out to bat it was still a really good wicket for batting," Ryan said on Wednesday.
"Even when we were seven for 90-odd, I still thought we were a good chance because we had plenty of overs.
"It was fantastic to get over the line, particularly as our confidence had been shot lately, so that's why it was such a big win.
"A win like that shows the young blokes that it only takes a couple of guys that if they persevere and hang in long enough, you'll always be a chance.
"Hopefully, it will be a good stepping stone for us going into these last four games. It certainly gave us some confidence."
Following Saturday's victory, Bendigo defeated White Hills on Tuesday night to win its first game of the Twenty20 tournament.
With four games left in the season, the Goers have the chance to shape the finals.
They still have games to come against White Hills, Eaglehawk and Bendigo United, who are among the teams battling for finals positions.
