Posted on 12 May, 2008

Lady Cobras (8-5) recorded one of their biggest wins ever under Coach Jason Knight as they defeated the perennial powerhouse Ballarat Lady Miners 101-77 away from home last weekend.  The win moved the Lady Cobras into 4th place on the SEABL ladder above the Lady Miners and gave them the all important first leg of the split.  Kilsyth plays Ballarat just twice this year and as long as they stay within 25pts against the Lady Miners in their second match of the season, they will hold the season split.  Should both teams finish on the same record at the end of the regular season, Kilsyth would finish above Ballarat.  With Launceston, Bendigo and Nunawading the clear front runners in the League, there is one place remaining for the final four, with Kilsyth, Ballarat and NW Tasmania looking to battle it out for the last spot in the finals.

Kilsyth return home Saturday night to take on one of the League’s top sides the Bendigo Lady Braves.  Having been defeated by the Lady Braves 63-52 back in round 2, the Lady Cobras will be keen to extract soon revenge on their more fancied rivals.  With Desiree Glaubitz now in the line up the Lady Braves will have a difficult time trying to guard the versatile Kilsyth team that includes Sarah Parsons, Clare Papavs and League Most Improved player Hayley Moffatt.

Kilsyth enters the game with 4 wins from their last 5 starts with the only blemish a 6 point loss to League leaders Launceston. Clare Papavs 16.1ppg, 7.2rpg, Desiree Glaubitz 15.5ppg, 6.5apg, 5.3rpg and Sarah Parsons 13.7ppg, 5.3apg, 9.5rpg led the Lady Cobras attack but Hayley Moffatt 11.5ppg and 5.4rpg has caused her opponents plenty of trouble in 2008.

Bendigo will rely heavily on Gabe Richards (19.3ppg & 11.6rpg) and if the Lady Cobras can limit her impact they will be well on the way to an important win.

The game is scheduled to tip off at 6.15pm and will include a chance for one lucky spectator to win $500 in the 3/4 time ANZ shoot for cash.  As an extra bonus if the Club Kilsyth Lady Cobras win, all spectators will be able to collect a 20% off voucher from the ticket counter to be redeemed at Subway Bayswater – 210 Canterbury Road opposite Bunnings on Saturday Night and all Sunday.

Cobras (4-9) returned from Canberra with two more losses and have now dropped 8 of their last 9 including 5 straight.  Despite the losing streak Kilsyth are still within the finals race and if they are able to put together a stretch of wins they should be able to make a solid finals run.  Kilsyth may receive some much need support with a possible signing to bolster the line up in the coming weeks which could help to ignite the cold Cobras.

In what Coach Grant Wallace describe as a terrible weekend double, the Cobras were defeated in overtime Saturday Night 98-92 against the Canberra Gunners and then backed up Sunday with a 101-89 loss for the 6th straight time to the AIS.

Kilsyth will be keen to put the first half of the season behind them and start again aiming to win at least 8 of their final 13 games and make finals.  This will start Saturday night as they take on former Cobras Brad Bridgewater and the 3 time champion Geelong Supercats.  The Cobras were able to turn their 2007 campaign around with a late season home victory against the Supercats and they will be looking for the same result as they take on the high scoring Geelong.

Zach Malvik finished with 37 points against the AIS after having just 10 points against Canberra and Coach Grant Wallace will be looking for his young point guard to have a major impact this weekend. Averageing 22.6 ppg, Malvik will be required to not only have a scoring impact but get his fellow teammates into the game.

Sharp shooter Gerard Leonard (14.2ppg) has been hot and cold so far through the first 13 games but will be asked to be more consistent in the run home if the Cobras are to be successful.  His fellow local star Jon Croft (14.8ppg, 6.3rpg) has been the most consistent contributor in 2008 after returning from shoulder surgery and looks like returning to the form that saw him awarded a place in the All Star 5 side in 2007.

Big Man Joe Werner (19.6ppg & 14.3 rpg) has slowed after his blistering early season form and will be looking forward to the battle of the bigs with former import Brad Bridgewater. 

The game is scheduled to tip off at 8.15pm and will include a chance for one lucky spectator to win $500 in the 3/4 time ANZ shoot for cash.  As an extra bonus if the Club Kilsyth Cobras win, all spectators will be able to collect a special discount voucher from the ticket counter to be redeemed at La Porchetta – Canterbury Road Heathmont on Saturday Night and all Sunday.

Get along to the games this Saturday and support your Club Kilsyth Cobras