Cobras take revenge on Bendigo

By Ben Turner
KILSYTH Cobras started the 2009 SEABL campaign with a 101-81 win over arch-nemesis Bendigo on the road.
Bendigo, which has contested four straight SEABL conference titles, winning two, both against Kilsyth in 2005 and 2007, struggled to contain the Cobras’ frontline of Chris Cameron (30pts, 10rbds), Joe Werner (19, 19) and Quincy Henderson (15, 11).
Neither team was able to obtain the momentum in a low-scoring opening period with the Cobras leading by a single point at the first change as both teams took time to find their way with new teammates.
Kilsyth gained the upper hand early in the second with Cameron and Werner combining well inside while Gerard Leonard found his range from beyond the arc.
Bendigo tried to pull back the 12-point half-time margin during the third quarter with import Matt Trannon showing his presence but the Cobras were just too big for the young Braves, extending the lead to 22 points at the final change.
Kilsyth continued to shoot the ball well in the fourth, sustaining the momentum in a well-balanced team display to win their season opener by 20 points.
The Braves hurt themselves from the free throw line shooting at just 48 per cent compared to the Cobras’ 75, once again highlighting the importance of converting at the free throw line.
Despite the margin the rebounding was close with Kilsyth slightly out rebounding the Braves 57-52.
It was a scrappy first-up affair for both sides, which will continue to improve as the season progresses. Coach Grant Wallace, looking for his first SEABL title in close to 350 games in the League, was excited by the team’s first-up win.
Next Saturday Kilsyth meets the Brisbane Spartans who have recruited strongly.
The Lady Cobras and reigning 2008 SEABLE women’s champions went down in their season opener, with Bendigo gaining revenge over the shorthanded Lady Cobras, 82-67.
Gemma Kerr and Amy Denson answered the call at the offensive end but it was the defence that fell down.
It wasn’t all bad news for the Lady Cobras with Katy Werner finishing with nine points and six rebounds in her first SEABL game and both Erica McMenamin and Hayley Moffatt hitting eight.