Posted on 5 June, 2017

After falling short against Dandenong in both the 2015 and 2016 SEABL Championship Games, the Lady Cobras had no such trouble this time around, taking down the reigning champion Rangers on the road, 72-61, for their seventh consecutive win.

It was a third quarter surge which broke the game open for Kilsyth, as the Lady Cobras exploded with a 19-2 run to open the second half, building an insurmountable 19 point lead. The run was fuelled by an unlikely hero, with second-year forward Genna Ogier scoring 10 points during the six minute stretch to help put the game out of reach.

The Lady Cobras would keep a double-digit lead the rest of the way, securing their eleventh win of the season to maintain the league’s best overall record at 11-2.

Kilsyth Head Coach Sam Woosnam was thrilled with her team’s response following a lacklustre opening half of play, which saw them record their second impressive road victory in as many weeks.

"Our third quarter was outstanding,” Woosnam said about her team’s game changing 10 minute spurt.

“Our defence picked up, which, as a result, made our offence hard to stop. It was very pleasing after an ordinary first half for the girls to come out like that and do all the things they were asked to do.” 

Maddie Garrick continued her sizzling form of late, leading Kilsyth with 22 points to go along with nine rebounds and five assists. Chantella Perera added 17 points, seven rebounds and six assists, Angela Beadle recorded a 16-point, 11-rebound double-double, and Ogier chipped in with 12 points in the win.

While Woosnam’s squad is in red-hot form as they pass the mid-point of the season, the upcoming Queens Birthday long weekend could not come at a better time for the Lady Cobras. With Emily Fryters out indefinitely due to a knee injury and sharpshooter Rosie Moult nearing a return from last year’s season-ending achilles injury, the Lady Cobras get a chance to rest and recover – whilst getting two starters a week closer to their return to the hardwood – much to the delight of their Head Coach.

“I’m very pleased to go into the break with a win,” Woosnam said.

“We’re looking forward to the week off, and hopefully we start to get our injured players back soon thereafter. I’m very excited to see what we will be able to produce with our full team on the floor.” 

Whilst the Lady Cobras battled to victory with a shorthanded group, the Rangers were also down several key players in Saturday’s game. Woosnam understands that their next meeting will be different, with both groups set to benefit significantly from the return of key contributors.

“We were lucky that Dandenong were in the same boat as us in regards to players being injured and not available, so I’m sure the next time we meet them it will be a totally different game,” Woosnam said.

Saturday night’s game was the lone regular season meeting between the two teams, meaning the only chance at a rematch this year would be in the league’s championship game for a third straight year. And with the Lady Cobras and Rangers leading their respective conferences heading into the long weekend, a title rematch in September appears to be a strong possibility yet again.

The Lady Cobras return home after the break to host Sandringham on Saturday June 17. Tip-off is scheduled for 6.00pm, with the Men to follow at 8.00pm.