This coming weekend the Kilsyth Cobras and Knox Raiders get set to ‘Battle for the Ashe’s in what is considered one of the biggest rivalries in Australian Basketball. Situated just 12 km apart and representing the two biggest associations in Australia, this rivalry has grown into that of a Collingwood v Essendon Anzac Day blockbuster. With a capacity crowd expected at the Snakepit for Saturday night’s games, both clubs will be looking for big things from their SEABL teams.

Just three weeks ago, the first of two double headers for 2007, Kilsyth won both the women’s and men’s games and brought home the Cystic Fibrosis Cup. All at Kilsyth hope this will be repeated this Saturday as the Cobras look to return the Ashes to its rightful home at Kilsyth after Knox won last year inaugural cup.

The Ashes is very symbolic at Kilsyth and demonstrates one of the many positives that can come out of a negative situation. 18 months ago when Club Kilsyth burnt down, it resulted in a difficult time for all involved within the Kilsyth Basketball organisation. Club Kilsyth’s licensee is the Kilsyth and Mountain District Basketball Association and is the major sponsor for the Club Kilsyth Cobras. Out of the Ashes from the fire a Cup was born. It now symbolises the past of Kilsyth Basketball and what better place to compete for this cup than against Arch rivals the Knox Raiders.

The Kilsyth-Knox rivalry goes much deeper than just at the SEABL level. With Youth League and Junior Representative team’s competing throughout the year and all aiming to knock off the other. This rivalry is felt by all and everyone knows it is not just another game.
The SEABL Cobra Men are currently sitting sixth on the south ladder just below Knox but with a team who is becoming tighter by the week and just about to explode with a run of wins, Knox will need to watch out come Saturday night. The Cobras will be at full strength and as they did three weeks ago will lift to the occasion especially in front of the adoring home crowd.

The SEABL Cobra Women having been the surprise of the season so far. Without incoming star Desiree Glaubitz they have been able to build an impressive record and be sitting 4th on the ladder. A mixture of youth and experience and the excellent play of import Abby Schrader the Cobras have gone from strength to strength and will be looking to repeat on their results from three weeks ago against the raiders when they won by 15 points.

Kilsyth Basketball General Manager Dick Thomas said “this is one of the most important games of the year for the Cobras and we know that all the men and women will represent the Cobras with pride and bring back the Ashes to its rightful home”.

“The Kilsyth-Knox rivalry is an event we all look forward to each year, its traditional is engrained in the people of each club, too win these games is more important than most in the year. The Ashes represents what can come out a bad situation and we look forward to regaining the Ashes and bringing it home in 2007” said Mr. Thomas.

In a sea of red and black there will be some blue and yellow in the crowd Saturday night but as was seen at the Cystic Fibrosis Cup the Kilsyth supporters will be loud and passionate in their support for the adored Cobras. Whether it’s big Brad Bridgewater dunking on a Raiders head or Sarah Parsons taking a huge offensive rebound in the paint, the Cobras players and fans will be giving their all to return the Ashes Cup back to Kilsyth.