They needed some help from above but the Melbourne Renegades have finally posted their first win of the BBL season.
The defending champions snapped a nine-game losing streak with a rain-affected win over the Sydney Thunder on Wednesday night in Canberra.
It wasn't comprehensive but the Renegades were able to get the monkey off their backs after posting 4-172 and keeping the Thunder to 7-122 off a revised 14 overs to secure a 12-run victory under the Duckworth-Lewis system.
Thunder batsman Alex Ross (51) mounted a late fightback, blasting Mohammad Nabi for 26 runs off five balls in the 12th over, but it wasn't enough.
"We've got a great group of blokes. But when you're not winning, everyone was hurting a little bit after being none and nine and after the year we had last year," Renegades batsman Sam Harper said after top-scoring.
"It's just a fickle game, we haven't executed some pressure moments (this season).
"I'm sure the win tonight will get the spirits up."
The Renegades won the toss and batted on Manuka Oval's traditionally high-scoring wicket, as Shaun Marsh and Marcus Harris put on a 49-run opening stand.
Nathan McAndrew dropped a sitter early but Harris (22) wasn't given a second reprieve and was stumped by Jay Lenton off Liam Bowe (2-23) in the seventh over.
Marsh (47) put on another 49-run partnership with Harper (52) before he was caught by Chris Morris, trying to hit a six over cow corner to bring up his 50 off McAndrew (1-22).
Beau Webster thumped a second-ball six which bounced off the Don Bradman Stand roof and onto Canberra Avenue. They never found the ball.
Webster (8) tried to slap one over mid-wicket but McAndrew atoned for his earlier drop with a sharp catch in the deep off Bowe in the 15th over.
Harper brought up his half-century with a contentious six off Morris (1-40) in the final over but was dismissed lbw off the next ball.
Thunder opener Usman Khawaja went for a duck in the first over after he was caught behind in a brilliantly one-hander by Harper off Andrew Fekete (1-13).
Unlucky Callum Ferguson was run out at the non-striker's end after Alex Hales creamed a straight drive into Fekete's hand before it deflected onto the stumps.
The Thunder were 3-31 when Daniel Sams was plumb lbw to Nabi in the fifth over before the heavens opened and rain delayed play for 27 minutes.
When played resumed, Hales (31) went chasing the game and was caught in the deep by Webster off Dan Christian (3-14).
Morris (8) was next to hole out off Samit Patel (1-23) before Christian dismissed Lenton (2) and Ross in the final over.
"The Renegades are a good team and they were going to turn up and win a game somewhere," Ross said.
Australian Associated Press
