Posted on 2 August, 2009

After a topsy turvy start to the season, the Swinburne Cobras have now won seven of their past nine games, with both their losses coming against Frankston. Their win over Ballarat not only ended the Miners hopes of a 4th place finish but improved the Cobras to a 10-3 conference record.

Kilsyth went into the game against NW Tasmania without import Quincy Henderson and Captain DJ Taylor who were both resting injuries and soon found themselves playing catch up.

NW Tasmania exploded in the opening term building a 12 point lead as the Cobras struggled to guard the much smaller Thunder. After the initial onslaught Kilsyth locked down at the defensive end and went to their strengths in the paint with Joe Werner (27pts, 10rbds) and Tim Lang (14pts, 8rbds) both shooting at over 58% from the field.

Gerard Leonard (30pts, 6rbds, 5 ass) matched the Thunder’s player/coach Sam Armstrong (31pts) from behind the arc and with Adam Jackson (9pts, 3/3 3pt) converting from long range the Cobras were able to rebound in the second term to score 38 points for the quarter and build a 56-47 half time lead.

Kilsyth were dominating from inside and out and looked like cruising to a comfortable win.  Dwayne Radcliffe (23pts, 15rbds) battling both Lang and Werner helped the Thunder claw their way back in the second half. 

NW Tasmania got within four points in the final quarter but Matt Shanahan (16pts) and the Cobras put their foot on the pedal extending the margin to record the win.

Following the 110-98 win, Kilsyth travelled to Ballarat on Sunday, who after beating Bendigo on Saturday night still had a chance to make finals with a win.

The Cobras had other things in mind as the lead for the majority of the match and went on to record a comfortable win, ending the Miners season.

Joe Werner (24pts, 18rbds), Gerard Leonard (23pts), Matt Shanahan (13pts) and Tim Lang (13pts, 5rbds) all scored in double figures to lead the Cobras who were still missing Quincy Henderson through injury.

For Ballarat, Jamal Brown (22pts, 17rbds), Rishawn Norwood (16pts) and BJ Carter (13pts) led the Miners but were unable to get their team over the line in the must win match.

The Cobras will take on the Bendigo Braves at the Kilsyth Sports Centre Saturday 8 August 2009 at 7.30pm in the Crazy John’s SEABL Semi Final.  In the other East Conference Semi Final Knox will travel to Brisbane.

Should the Cobras defeat Bendigo they will play the loser of the Brisbane-Knox game on Saturday 15 August.

Tickets for this Saturday’s Semi Final will be available from the door which will open at 6.30pm.

Stay up to date with all the Cobras news and information on their finals campaign at www.cobras.net.au