By David Nagel
Pakenham has squared its early-season ledger at one-all after the Eels defeated Frankston 20-10 in round two of NRL Victoria’s Second Grade Men’s competition.
The Eels, who put up a brave performance despite going down 26-18 to Eastern Raptors in round one, made their way to Casey Fields in a confident mood.
That mood was dulled somewhat when some undisciplined behaviour from Jonah Iosefo resulted in an early send-off; reducing the Eels to 12 players for the remainder of the contest.
Despite being a player down the Eels held a two-point lead at half time after tries to Aiden Kane and Abraham Netzler.
The Eels then applied some significant physical pressure offensively in the second half, with tries to half-back Nathaniel Johansson-Joseph – and a second to Kane – providing the visitors with a match-winning lead.
The Eels have quickly climbed to fourth in the 10-team competition and will resuming hostilities against sixth-placed North West Wolves this Saturday 4 May.
The home clash at Comely Banks Recreation Reserve will be followed by a follow-up home game against Northern Thunder on Saturday 11 May.
