Posted on 28 July, 2009
The Cobras have been inconsistent all season but seem to have turned the corner at the right time winning five of their last seven games and improving their conference record to 9-3.
Joe Werner (29pts, 12rbds) again showed he is one of the premier big men in the League dominating against the students. His front court team mate Tim Lang continued his recent form with 21pts and 10 rbds.
Kilsyth were able to build an early lead as the AIS looked tired on the third game of their road trip. The opening term was all Kilsyth with Gerard Leonard (21pts) scoring 12 first quarter points to help the Cobras to a 10 point lead.
Both teams scored with ease in the second as the AIS hit back scoring 33 points for the quarter to reduce the margin to just 3 points at the main break. Matt Shanahan (18pts, 7ass) kept the Cobras in front scoring a 3 point bucket with 2 minutes remaining as neither team scored in the final 1 minute 50 secs of the half.
With a renewed energy, the AIS took the lead early in the third as Kilsyth were forced to reassess. The Cobras didn’t suit up Captain DJ Taylor and Quincy Henderson was nursing an injury, so the Cobras needed others to step up. Werner and Leonard scored at the right time to help Kilsyth regain the lead in another high scoring term.
Coach Grant Wallace preached the defensive message at the final break and Kilsyth responded holding the AIS to just 18 points in the final quarter and extending the final margin to 9. This was despite both Werner and Lang fouling out in the final minutes.
Kilsyth still have a slight chance of finishing 2nd in the East Conference but will need to win both their games this weekend and hope Knox fails against Nunawading. Otherwise the Cobras will finish 3rd and host a home final against Bendigo on Saturday 8 August 2009.
The Cobras play NW Tasmania this coming Saturday 1 August 2009 with tip off at 8.15pm before travelling to Ballarat on Sunday for their final regular season game.
Stay tuned to all your Cobras news at www.cobras.net.au
