Cobras must win

THE Swinburne Kilsyth Cobras were defeated 57-55 by the Bendigo Braves in the SEABL first semi final.
The result means Kilsyth now face the Knox Raiders in a home preliminary final on Saturday.
The winner travels to Bendigo to take on the Braves, who will host the conference final in two weeks.
Kilsyth raced to an 11-2 lead in a low scoring opening term on Saturday. Bendigo picked up their defensive efforts and restricted the Cobras late in the quarter, but Kilsyth managed to hold a 16-10 lead at quarter time.
Ryan Bathie scored the opening basket of the second term, but Ivan McFarlin and Adam Tanner led a Bendigo fightback. The duo got their younger teammates involved and took a three point lead late in the term. A three point basket from Bathie tied the scores up in the dying seconds of the half, but Bendigo returned from the locker room with all the momentum.
Kilsyth had no answer for the Braves, as they outscored the Cobras 21-9 to lead 51-39 at the final change. Tim Lang and Bathie led a Swinburne Cobras fightback in the final term but not until the margin had ballooned to 16 points with under five minutes to play.
The margin was just two points after Matt O’Hea connected from the field with one minute to play. He then came up with a steal to give the Cobras a chance to win the game.
Kilsyth had one final offensive possession but failed to connect, handing Bendigo the game and the right to host the Conference final on Saturday week.
The Cobras must defeat the Knox Raiders, who downed Brisbane in the second semi final. Kilsyth takes on the Raiders on Saturday at 7.30pm at the Kilsyth Sports Centre in front of an expected sell-out crowd.
– Ben Turner