By David Nagel
It was a day to forget for Pakenham on Saturday after the Eels were taught a lesson in high-intensity rugby league by local rivals Casey Warriors.
The Warriors prevailed 38-18 in the end, scoring seven tries to three, after the Eels made a fast start on their home deck at Comely Banks Recreation Reserve.
Fereti Sila got the ball rolling for the Eels, scoring a try that was then converted by half back Damascus Lota to give the home side a six-point buffer after nine minutes of play.
But the Warriors bounced back in grand style, with their ball movement and completion success causing the Eels defence all sorts of headaches.
The Warriors had four tries on the board in the space of 13 minutes with Jimmy Douch, Frank Laulu and Daniel Alefosio among the try scorers.
Cairn-Kaino Salesulu and Veatauia Sua answered for the Eels, but Douch, Zavier Khan and Alijah Waetford crossed the line again for the Warriors to secure a well-deserved victory.
Kaiya Kaiwai-Rangikauhata had his boot dialled in for the Warriors, converting five of his side’s seven tries.
The Eels get the chance to bounce back with a home game against bottom-placed Sunshine this Saturday at 5.40pm.
The Warriors host Melton Broncos at Casey Fields at 4.40pm.
In other games in round three, Werribee had a 28-10 win over Altona; Eastern Raptors won a thrilling contest 22-18 over Sunshine, while Melton flexed its muscles with a 36-18 win over North West Wolves.
Ladder: Melton 6, Eastern 5, Casey 4, Pakenham 4, North West 3, Truganina 0, Doveton 0, Werribee 0, Altona 0, Sunshine 0.
Fixture R4: Pakenham (4) v Sunshine (10), Casey (3) v Melton (1), Truganina (6) v Doveton (7), Altona (9) v Eastern (2), North West (5) v Werribee (8).
