Posted on 16 May, 2009

Despite a roster which is the envy of teams across the League the Cobras find themselves in a similar position to that of the past two season where they have scrapped into the finals well below .500 (10-16 -2007, 11-15, 2008).

The Cobras now face do or die contests against SEABL’s new clubs Dandenong and Sandringham next weekend to avoid having their season fall out of control.

After losing to Hobart on Friday night the Cobras traveled to Devonport Saturday to take on the North West Tasmania Thunder.

The Thunder jumped the Cobras in the opening term shooting at 54% from the field helping them to build a 33-25 quarter time lead.  Joe Werner (13pts, 17rbds) and Sam Harris (10pts, 7rbds) went hard at each other in the first, but both got into foul trouble early in the second term forcing both coaches to rest their big men.

NW Tasmania extended the lead in the second term as the Cobras could only managed 22 points for the quarter and went into the long break with a 18 point deficit.

Quincy Henderson (16pts, 11rbds, 4 assists, 3/4 3 point) did all he could in the third to pull back the margin, scoring 12 points including two long bombs from behind the arc.  Kilsyth closed within 14 at the final break to give themselves a chance for the win.

Gerard Leonard found his range in the final quarter hitting 16 points for the term and twice getting the Cobras within six points but the Kilsyth could only manage 5/10 from the free throw line compared to the Thunders 9/10. Kilsyth shot at 64% to 84% for the game.

Chris Cameron (15pts) and DJ Taylor (15pts) both hit double figures for the Cobras but Ben Murfet (22pts) and Scott Mcgaffin (17pts) provided too much support for the Thunder.

The Cobras will have plenty of evaluating to do during the week to see how the team will respond after dropping their 8th game of the season.  Free throw shooting percentage and the ability to defend the long range shot will again feature heavily.

The Cobras will take on the Dandenong Rangers at 8.15pm on Saturday 23 May 2009 in their first match up since 2004 when Dandenong left for the Big V Competition.  As well as being a must win game for the Cobras, point guard Michael Wheeler will be keen to get the win over his former club.

Kilsyth will travel to Sandringham on Sunday looking for their second win of the weekend against their new foes.

Keep up to date with all your cobras news at www.cobras.net.au