Wodonga Raiders' youngster wanted to quit during losing run

Nick Bracher debuted against New City in November, 2014. He had turned 16 a month earlier and opened the batting, making 10.

"It was pretty tough, the early years especially, like when I was playing I didn't think I was up to it," he said candidly.

"I wanted to play B grade but because we didn't have the numbers and people didn't want to play A grade, I just got put up there."

"To be honest, I didn't enjoy cricket, didn't enjoy turning up and was going to quit."

And opposition teams knew it would be an easy win.

"I wouldn't say disrespectful, but they were pretty confident," Bracher said.

"They made us feel like we weren't up to it, even more than we were, they knew they'd get a win whenever they played us."

In his first four years, Raiders had only two wins, finally snapping a 44-game losing streak against New City at T20 level in October, 2018.

The wheel had started to turn the previous year via a former CAW and Victoria Country star.

"Ben Stewart (ex-Raider) got involved about two years ago and he was the reason I stayed," Bracher said.

"I was going to move clubs, I had meetings with a few clubs, but I've known Ben for a while and my dad (Phil) is mates with him and played cricket with him.

"He's a good bloke, he told both Tom (my brother) and I to stay, we trusted what he was saying and we toughed it out."

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Stewart was not only a fine cricketer, he's also a Wodonga Raiders' premiership player in the Ovens and Murray Football League.

He wasn't a silky-skilled superstar, but was tough and fiercely competitive, getting the best out of himself.

Naturally, others played their role in the resurgence which has resulted in Raiders winning two games in a season for the first time since 2014-15.

"We just have a better mindset, like when we rock up we actually think we can win games," Bracher said of the resurgence.

"A few years ago we'd rock up and people wouldn't be interested, we knew we wouldn't win but now we really think we can take it up to other teams."

And Raiders did just that with a stunning upset over premiers North Albury.

It snapped a 26-match losing streak.

Raiders had posted 172 with North falling for 162.

"I wasn't confident, even when we had them nine-for, but it was a really good feeling, especially to beat a quality side as well," Bracher said.

Raiders followed it up with a caning of St Patrick's.