By David Nagel
Pakenham has continued to bounce back from a slow start to NRL Victoria’s Second Grade Men’s competititon with the Eels scoring a convincing 28-8 victory over Truganina Rabbitohs on Saturday.
The Eels were touched up by Casey in round one, losing 50-4, before putting in a much-improved effort against Waverley, going down 22-20 in round two.
The Eels then had their ice-breaking win on the road against Eastern last week, before backing up that 23-12 victory with a strong performance against the Rabbitohs on the weekend.
Pakenham scored three tries to two in the first half but failed to capitalise with its conversions.
The Storm turned up the heat in defence in the second half, keeping the Rabbitohs scoreless while running in three tries themselves.
Abel Salesulu ran in the first after 55 minutes before Siale Kautai repeated the dose just two minutes later.
Jayden Taylor then found his range with his kicking, converting Kautai’s try, before watching on as Ray Paila broke free to score the Eels third try in six minutes of play.
It was an impressive performance from the Eels, who now find themselves in a log-jam from positions third to fifth on the ladder.
The Eels face a crunch game this Saturday, hitting the road to take on Sunshine who sits just one place behind the Eels on the table.
The Eels face a run of away games before heading home to Comely Banks Recreation Reserve for their round-nine clash against Casey on Saturday 17 June.
In other games this week, the Eels under-18 team played out a draw against Werribee Bears with the scores locked at 18 each at the final siren.
And the under 16 team put up a brave performance, going down 18-30 to Northern Thunder.
Men’s Results R4: Truganina 8 def by Pakenham 28, Waverley 4 def by Casey 30, Sunshine 18 lost to Eastern 20.
Men’s Ladder: Casey, Eastern 6, Waverley, Pakenham, Sunshine 4, Truganina 0.
Men’s Fixture R5: Sunshine v Pakenham, Truganina v Casey, Eastern v Waverley.
