Cobras spring back

IT WAS a similar story for both the men and women’s sides as Kilsyth Cobras took on a double-header weekend.
They went down to Nunawading in the first match of the round but bounced back to take both rubbers against Bendigo.
The Lady Cobras scored a nine-point victory over Bendigo with the final score-line reading 84-75 and showing they have turned the corner.
This came after a slow start to a double-header weekend with the girls going down to Nunawading on Saturday in a close match by just four points – 94 to 91.
The women returned to form on Sunday with a nine-point victory over Bendigo.
In the first match, Nunawading went into the game a heavy favourite again but the Lady Cobras had their season on the line and were not going to lie down without a fight.
They battled hard throughout the contest and led by as much as five in the final term before Kristen Veal squared the game away with 24 secs to go.
The Lady Cobras had a chance for the win but their shot didn’t drop and they went into overtime. After the heartbreaking loss Saturday night, they were schedule to back up against top of the table Bendigo at home Sunday. The girls jumped out of the blocks and built an early 10 point lead with Amy Denson (27pts, 12 rbds) again a major threat at the offensive end, continuing her impressive season.
Bendigo bounced back towards the end of the quarter closing within two points but Kilsyth again pushed ahead in the second term.
Despite 24 first half points from Kelly Wilson (32pts), the Lady Cobras led by 8 at the half.
The men had a similar story, losing a sitter against Nunawading before taking the win from Bendigo.
Having already beaten Nunawading earlier in the season the Cobras were expected to pick up the win. But nothing went to plan as rookie Coach Craig Simpson lead his Nunawading team to the upset win.
The men struggled to defend the Spectres from behind the arc.
Gerard Leonard (22pts, 3 assists) continued his good form without shooting the lights out and Joe Werner (17pts, 10rbds) played hard despite again getting in foul trouble.
Kilsyth found themselves down by to big a margin going into the fourth term and after playing from behind all game the Cobras didn’t have enough to overcome the Spectres.
But Sunday brought a new attitude and result as the Cobras got the important win over conference rival Bendigo 110-95. The win was set up by a massive 43 point opening term with Chris Cameron (20pts, 6rbds) and Joe Werner (20pts, 8rbds) unstoppable in the opening 12 minutes.
Bendigo hit back in the second with Matt Trannon (30pts, 12rbds) and Keith Davis (25pts, 10rbds) getting the Braves back into the game.
After an explosive final two minutes of the term the margin was back to 10 and the Cobras went into the half needing another big quarter to put the Braves away. Trannon and Davis tried hard to get the Braves back into the game in the final term but Gerard Leonard (22pts, 5rbds) had 11 points in a three minute spell and Chris Cameron ended it with a three to put an end to any thoughts of a Braves comeback win.