The Tornadoes started brightly to lead 17-15 after the opening quarter but from then on the Lady Cobras asserted their dominance on their home court outscoring the Torns 27-17 in the second quarter for a 42-34 half-time advantage.

They controlled the third quarter shooting 24 points to 16, for a 66-50, lead at the last change.

Despite a final quarter fightback in which the Torns outscored Kilsyth 21-15, the Lady Cobras finished 10-point winners to remain undefeated at home this season and earn a home-court grand final in a fortnight.

The Tornadoes will need to rebound courtesy of their double chance for a preliminary final match-up at the Elphin Stadium next Saturday against the Geelong Lady Supercats who knocked Frankston Lady Blues out of the final’s race with a 72-53 victory in their elimination semi-final.

Steph Cumming was outstanding for the Lady Cobras shooting a game-high 28 points while Jasmine Gill provided valuable support with 23. 

Alex Wilson led the way for the Torns shooting 16 points while Mikaela Ruef had a double-double with 14 points and 14 rebounds and up and coming talent Sammi Phillips scored 16 points.

Launceston Tornadoes coach Reece Potter was disappointed his team could not reproduce the form that saw them defeat the Lady Cobras by 10 points at Elphin in round 14.

“Kilsyth proved why they have been the best team all season,” Potter said.

“They certainly outclassed us tonight. Credit to our group to fight back because at one stage I think the lead was out to 17 or thereabouts – far too big a margin. 

“We got it back to six at one stage which was a great effort by the girls but we were chasing our tails almost all night from the second quarter onward.

“We have to learn some tough lessons from this game and improve for next week against Geelong and hopefully we can get back in two weeks time and try to beat these guys. 

“All round we have some lessons to learn but we have to come much more ready to play than we were and be a lot more ruthless because all 40 minutes count and hopefully we learn that lesson from tonight.

Potter praised Ally Wilson’s game, young guard Sammi Phillips and Ruef for lifting her effort level which helped them get back into the game. 

“Other players did some good things but we can all do better, me included, so we certainly have a lot of room for improvement,” he said.