Posted on 4 July, 2010

While sealing the Ashes and defeating their arch rival was a massive victory for the Swinburne Cobras, moving within a half game of first placed Bendigo has Kilsyth well placed for a deep playoff run.

Fernandez Lockett (19pts, 8rbds) and Ryan Bathie (17pts, 10rbds) were both back to their best at the offensive end against the Raiders, while Quincy Henderson again had the best of CJ Massingale (21pts, 4/17 FG). 

Both teams battled for the lead in the opening term with Michael Hill (19pts) helping Knox to a three point lead with three minutes to play.  Back to back three’s by Quincy Henderson (10pts, 7rbds) saw the Swinburne Cobras wrestle back the lead and Lockett and Bathie scored seven points in the final minute of the term to see the Swinburne Cobras take a 22-14 lead at the first change.

Kilsyth used this momentum to build on their lead in the second quarter and after restricting the Raiders to just 31 points held a 13 point lead at half time.

Bathie and Lockett made sure Kilsyth would win back the Ashes in the third term, with the lead swelling to 20.  The suffocating defensive pressure of Kilsyth again restricted the Raiders to just 14 points for the quarter.

As everyone knew they would, Knox made a run at the Swinburne Cobras to begin the final quarter and managed to within eight points with six minutes still to play.

Kilsyth quickly regained the momentum with Matt O’Hea (17pts) and Tim Lang (12pts) both getting to the free throw line and finding the bottom of the hole. O’Hea scored 12 points in the final six minutes of the game to ensure Kilsyth of their 14th win of the season.

With the Ashes Trophy and Cystic Fibrosis Cup secure in the Kilsyth trophy cabinet for 2010, the Swinburne Cobras will be looking to build further momentum during the final weeks of the regular season with the aim of filling the cabinet further during the post season.

Kilsyth travel to Brisbane on Friday 9 July with an important game against the 3rd placed Spartans.  A win is crucial after the Spartans defeated Kilsyth by five points earlier in the season.

Congratulations to the Swinburne Kilsyth Cobras on returning the Ashes home.