By David Nagel
There were mixed emotions for the Pakenham Eels on Saturday as both the Second Grade Senior Men’s team and Under-15 Boys were eliminated in the first week of NRL Victoria finals.
Reality hit both teams hard that their promising seasons were over, with the seniors going down 24-16 to Sunshine Cowboys and the Under-15 Boys running into a very strong Doveton Steelers outfit – eventually falling short in a 36-4 scoreline.
Both teams were disappointed with the results, but understand the future looks bright for the Pakenham Eels considering both teams were playing their first season together.
Making finals wasn’t the only positive for the Eels, who have a full complement of teams competing from under-6 touch all the way through to senior level.
And the move to the club’s new facility at Comely Banks Recreation Reserve in Officer has elevated the Eels to becoming an even more highly-respected member of the NRL Victoria community.
That elevation was highlighted last week, with the Pakenham Eels being asked at late notice to host half of the NRL Victoria program in week-one of finals.
Several grounds were heavily affected by recent steady rains, but Comely Banks was dry as a bone as the teams headed out on a mission to keep their seasons alive.
The Under-15 Boys kick-started a full day of finals at 9am, with Scott Leilua running in the only try for the Eels who conceded seven tries to the Steelers impressive overall attack.
The Second Grade Men’s team then had to wait until 6.45pm to take on the Cowboys, to not only put their season to the test but the magnificent new lights at Comely Banks as well.
And, under the bright lights, the teams put on a spectacular show.
The Eels started with a bang, with Konisitutone Latu running in the first try for the match before the Cowboys settled, scoring two tries before half time to take the lead.
But the Eels weren’t done with yet, with Jayden Taylor and Alan Leilua both scoring to lock things away mid-way through the second half.
But the Cowboys once again had the answers, scoring twice late to secure the win and progress to this week’s preliminary final.
The Cowboys take on the Eastern Raptors this Saturday, with the winner to progress to the grand final against Sunbury Tigers on Saturday 3 September.
