By RUSSELL BENNETT
THE junior Pakenham Silverbacks continue to take big steps forward in their debut Gridiron Victoria season, going down to the ladder-leading South Eastern Predators by just four points, 12-8, on Sunday.
The Predators were the undisputed form side of the competition leading into their game against the Silverbacks at Ranger Field in Croydon but were pushed all the way by a group of determined local youngsters.
The result would no doubt have been disappointing for the Silverbacks faithful, but it would be an encouraging one nonetheless.
The club reached a key milestone in their young existence earlier this month, hosting their first ever Gridiron Victoria contest.
Pakenham’s juniors were unable to cap the occasion off with a win – going down 26-14 to the Melbourne Uni Lions – but the day meant much more than just championship points. It signified the official arrival of competitive gridiron to a region already enamoured with the sport.
On field, an exciting crop of young Silverbacks – who have only been together for two months – showed that their club already has a bright future.
“We’ve got a lot of natural ability but we’re still young and learning the game,” coach and senior player Damien Belsham told the Gazette recently.
“We’ve definitely got a team to build on.
“We only had two months to get this team together so we’re still really raw.
“Once this natural talent comes through it’ll be really exciting.”
The Silverbacks are currently sixth on the nine-team junior ladder.
They’ll next face the Croydon Rangers back at their Toomuc Reserve home ground in Pakenham this Sunday, 2 November from 1.30pm. As many local residents as possible are urged to attend.
