Posted on 3 July, 2009

The Lady Cobras seven game win streak came to an end last week with a 82-77 loss at the hands of the Nunawading Spectres.  Kilsyth then returned to the winners list with a 85-69 win over the Frankston Blues.

Sarah Parsons (11.1ppg, 10.4rpg, 5.6apg) has been the spark for the Lady Cobras in recent weeks narrowly missing a triple double on four occasions. Her, along with MVP favourite Amy Denson (19.4ppg, 10.3rpg) and Hayley Moffatt (11.6ppg, 5.6rpg) have led the Lady Cobras to 9 wins in their last 11 games.

Their only losses have been to Nunawading, with victories over those above and below them on the ladder.  The Lady Cobras have beaten every team apart from two in 2009, they are Nunawading, whom they won’t get to play again until finals, and the Knox Raiders.

After suffering an 80-56 drubbing against the Raiders back in Round 3 Kilsyth will be out to regain some respect against the local rival.  The early loss against Knox was the start of a three game losing streak for the Lady Cobras and dropped them to 1-4 on the Season.

They have since moved from bottom to equal third on the table and will be a tough match up for the Raiders who will be missing two starters in Caitlin Cunningham (15.1ppg & 6.6rpg) and Sarah Graham (13ppg).  Both were key players for Knox in the Lady Cobras Round 3 loss.

This game will serve as the first leg in the Battle for the Ashes with the winner giving their Club a head start for the trophy.

Following the women at 6.15pm the men will take to the court at 8.15pm in the second leg on the battle with the combined scores for both games determining the eventual winning Club.

The Cobras had another mixed weekend, after dismantling the Canberra Gunners 98-73 on Saturday night they lost to Frankston 81-78 down the stretch on Sunday.

Joe Werner (21ppg, 13.2rpg) was far from his best last weekend and will be keen to return to form against another of the League’s explosive big men in Lester Strong.  Strong was the Round 15 Player of the Week but both players had a less then impressive duel back in Round 3 in the Raiders 80-69 win.  Both coaches were forced to rest their big men due to foul issues but the crowd will be hoping the game is able to be played this week and we see the best from both players.

Since their Round 3 contest the Cobras have added 6”11′ Tim Lang, who had his best performance of the year last weekend against Canberra and Frankston. His size has added another dimension to the Cobras line up and the productivity from Lang and Werner will likely determine the outcome for Kilsyth.

Despite not have his best shooting season Gerard Leonard (14.1ppg) continues to find ways to help his team. The Cobras will need his leadership, shooting prowess but most importantly his defensive ability in a likely match up with former Cobras junior Michael Hill.

Hill along with his back court partner CJ Massingale will be the Raiders keys to winning and Quincy Henderson and Leonard will be called upon to stop the dynamic duo.

This game will have more on the line than the ‘Battle for the Ashes’ and the traditional rivalry, both teams are locked in a contest with the Bendigo Braves to secure the all important 2nd seed for the 2009 finals.  The winner of this game will likely hold that position at seasons end.

Don’t miss all the action this Saturday night at the Kilsyth Sports Centre at the traditional community basketball rivals ‘Battle for the Ashes’.