Posted on 18 March, 2012

The Swinburne Kilsyth Cobras started their 2012 SEABL season with a three point win over the Mount Gambier Pioneers on Sunday afternoon.

With a crowd of close to 400 Hugh McMenamin court was ready and raring to see the 2012 Swinburne Cobras in action especially new import Garfield Blair.

The first quarter belonged to Kilsyth, dominating the opening five minutes with Garfield Blair showing his ability to find the net. Kilsyth rounded out the first quarter with an impressive display leading 23-15.

The second quarter started of the same with the Swinburne Cobras scoring freely however with Matt O’Hea and Auryn Macmillan getting into foul trouble Mt Gambier was able to beg back Kilsyth lead only trailing by four points at the half time break, 41-37.

Kilsyth’s bench gave their all in the third quarter backing up the tireless effort import Zach Malvik who was outstanding in the second half. The Swinburne Cobras kept the edge going into the last leading 62-50.

The first half of the last quarter Kilsyth managed to keep their head above water and the Pioneers at bay, but with Swinburne Cobra Auryn Macmillan fouled out of the game Mt Gambier stepped up a notch dropping some long bombs at the three point line to pull themselves back into contention.

With a minute left on the clock the Pioneers knocked down another three to be just one point down, with just 37 seconds left on the clock it seemed as if Kilsyth would need a lot of luck to scrape through with a win.

With two seconds left on the shot clock and the ball out of play Kilsyth needed someone to stand up and take charge, enter Garfield Blair taking the pass in shot from Matt O’Hea, Blair shot truly from the three point line to give Kilsyth a four point lead.

The pioneers however refused to lie down; landing a massive three with just 1.7 seconds on the clock, luckily for the Swinburne Cobras Malvik was fouled and went to the line where he had not missed from all game to seal the three point win for Kilsyth.

Garfield Blair in his first game for the Swinburne Kilsyth Cobras top-scored with 33points and 5 rebounds, Zach Malvik showed his value knocking down 27 points including seven from seven from the line. Auryn Macmillan also reached double figures with 11 points and seven rebounds.

David Moore was outstanding elevated to the starting five with big man Tim Lang away on NBL commitments pulling down eight rebounds.

The Swinburne Kilsyth Cobras now face Ballarat next Saturday night on Hugh McMenamin Court; tip-off is at 8:15pm straight after the Swinburne Kilsyth Lady Cobras who also take on Ballarat with their game tipping of at 6:15pm.