Posted on 18 June, 2011

In front of a large crowd at the Kilsyth Sports Centre the Swinburne Lady Cobras defeated the Ballarat Lady Rush by nine points, however the Ballarat Miners spoiled the night with a one point win over the Swinburne Cobras.

With Swinburne Lady Cobras without Abby Bishop and Chantella Perera it was always going to be a tough game against the sixth placed Ballarat Rush. Ballarat made all the running in the first half leading by six points at the first change and then by nine going into half time.

The Swinburne Lady Cobras then wrestled back control in the third quarter outscoring Ballarat 18 to six to take a three point lead into the last quarter. With six minutes to go in the game Kilsyth were up by 14 points and looked to be home for the win, but Ballarat came back and with just over a minute left were only trailing by five points.

A fantastic three from Erica McMenamin saw the Swinburne Lady Cobras out to an eight point and that was the game in the bag for Kilsyth.

Hayley Moffatt was fantastic leading from the front with 18 points and seven rebounds; she was well supported Eva Afeaki (11pts, 7rbds), Erica McMenamin (9pts, 5as) and Emily van Poppel (8pts, 5rbds). The most pleasing thing to come out of the game was the form of the younger Swinburne Lady Cobras.

Kilsyth now have to return tomorrow to face Launceston, tip-off is at 2:30pm on Hugh McMenamin Court.

The stage was set for a huge match between the Swinburne Cobras and the Ballarat Miners, the women had come away with a nine point win and the crowd was full of excitement. Unfortunately for the Swinburne Cobras they could not get over the line going down 74-73. 

Kilsyth began the match without captain Quincy Henderson who is out with injury, however they welcomed back Cam Johnson from America for his first game this season. The Swinburne Cobras got away to a great start leading by eight points 6 minutes into the first quarter; however Ballarat clawed back the margin, with Kilsyth taking just a two point lead into the first break.

The Swinburne Cobras then made all the play in the second to be up by as much as 11 points but could not keep up the intensity with Ballarat again pulling back the deficit, Kilsyth managed to increase their quarter time lead by one point going into half time with a slender three point lead.

The third quarter was hotly contested with neither side willing to give an inch, Kilsyth again made all the plays but Ballarat would not go away, the Swinburne Cobras went into the final quarter with a five point lead.

The last quarter had it all, with the crowd on the edge of their seats willing Kilsyth to get over the line the final minute you could not hear yourself think, and when Kilsyth got one point in front with 25 seconds to play the crowd was on their feet. Ballarat went down the other end and made the lay-up and drew the foul, to be one point in front with 19 seconds left on the clock. Ryan Barnes missed the free throw and the Swinburne Cobras had one last roll of the dice with a half-court shot from Tariq Naqqash just missing.

Tim Lang top scored for Kilsyth with 21 points and 11 rebounds, Matt O’Hea (17pts, 4as), Auryn Macmillan (14pts, 9rbds) and Tariq Naqqash (10pts) were the other Swinburne Cobras to make double figures.

The Swinburne Cobras now have to back it up tomorrow travelling to Nunawading to take on the highly fancied Nunawading Spectres. Tip-off is at 2:30pm at Nunawading Basketball stadium.

For all your news regarding Kilsyth Basketball, the Cobras and the Under 16 Championships head to www.kilsythbasketball.com.au