By RUSSELL BENNETT
THE Pakenham Silverbacks have continued their stunning rate of progress in just their second season, defeating the Gippsland Gladiators 28-13 on Saturday and claiming top spot on the Gridiron Victoria Division-2 ladder.
Taking on one of their closest rivals at LE Cotchin Reserve in Reservoir, the Silverbacks started sluggishly with a defensive lapse on the first play of the game leading to a Gladiators score on a long pass.
But the offense answered straight back, courtesy of a decisive run from Paul Ballinger. Adam Kolinski then ran the ball into the end-zone for a touchdown with his first play since returning from an ankle injury.
From there, the Silverbacks looked to pile on the hurt with touchdowns to first-game fullback Dave Fevaleaki, who steamrolled multiple opponents along the way; Ballinger; and another to Kolinski. Toby Currie converted point-after-touchdowns on all four occasions.
Middle linebacker Tommy Trimble led the defense superbly, piling the pressure on, while the defensive line was simply brutal, with the welcome return of Richmond Stowers capping it off in imposing style. Defensive back Andrew Crossley also recorded his first pick for the Pakenham side. An error allowed the Gladiators to score just before the half, with the Silverbacks going into the main break up 28-13.
The game was called after the half, with the Gladiators simply not having enough able bodies to take the field.
Tommy Trimble was man of the match, recording a sack and a number of tackles for a loss of Gladiators yards.
The Silverbacks sit atop Division 2 with a 3-1 record from their first four games. They’ll next face the Ballarat Falcons on 13 June from 10.30am at Victoria Park in Ballarat.
