Posted on 27 June, 2019
The VYC Cobra Men and Women have continued their playoff push, recording impressive road victories over Dandenong and Hume City, respectively, in Round 13 Big-V action.
Cobra Men took down the league’s second-ranked Rangers, 72-67 on Sunday, riding another spectacular performance by point guard Mitch Dielemans. After leading the Cobras to a double-overtime victory over Hawthorn a week prior with a 45 point, eight assist explosion, Dielemans was at it again on Sunday, scorching the Rangers for 38 points – on an incredible 22-for-24 shooting from the foul line – while adding eight rebounds and three assists in the win. Fellow starters Luke Rosendale and Matt Dwyer added nine and eight points, respectively, while Ben Bara (eight points) and Lachlan Vandervorm (nine rebounds) were big off the bench for the Cobras in the win.
Sunday’s upset victory saw the Mark Landells-led Cobras move to 12-6 on the season, pulling them within a win of clinching a place in the 2019 playoffs.
The Cobra Women recorded their third straight victory on Sunday, taking down the Hume City Broncos on the road, 71-57. Tied at 49 heading into the final period, the Cobras put the clamps down on the defensive end, holding the Broncos to just eight fourth quarter points, while Lauren Bird and Grace Moxey took over on the offensive end, combining for 14 points late to seal an impressive road win for Claire Knight’s women. Bird (seven rebounds, five assists) finished with 11 points apiece; Miranda Gartner scored a team-high 14; Maddie Taranto was a monster on the glass, pulling down a season-best 19 rebounds to go along with eight points; and Caitlyn Groves provided a spark off the bench, adding nine points in the win.
The win clinched a playoff spot for the Cobra Women, who moved a game ahead of Ringwood for second place in the Watson Conference standings at 14-5 with three games remaining.
The Cobras now turn their attention to rivals Knox, playing host to the Raiders this Sunday. The Women tip-off proceedings at 12pm, followed by the Men at 2pm, with entry FREE for both adults and children.
