By David Nagel
The home of the mighty Eels was bathed in sunshine on Saturday as the Pakenham Rugby League club welcomed all-comers to Comely Banks Recreation Reserve.
This was the last official home-game of the regular season for the Eels, who have been super impressed by how the pitches at their new facility have held up in their first year exposed to competition.
Pakenham’s Second Grade Men’s team currently sit second on the ladder, with the Eels welcoming ladder-leaders Eastern Raptors to Comely Banks for a top-of-the-table shootout.
The Raptors showed their class in the early stages of the contest, crossing for a converted try and forcing the Eels to reset their defence.
Pakenham responded strongly, with Dylan Cox scoring in the corner and Dominko Tuau running in another four-pointer to keep the Eels in touch.
However both tries were not converted, with the Eels missing a golden opportunity to put extra points on the board.
In the second half the Raptors put on a classy offensive display to demonstrate why they are the team to beat for this year’s title.
The Raptors ran in six tries for the match, with full-back Gary Addi scoring a double in the individual highlight of the contest.
There is one round remaining for the men’s senior team before finals commence in earnest.
The Eels are on the road this week, travelling to Langama Park in Sunbury to take on the Tigers, who currently sit third on the ladder.
All Eels’ junior teams – from under-6 all the way through to under-15 girls – participated on Saturday, with the under-15 boys the only team to face a road trip.
The under-15 boys, who sit fourth on the ladder, faced a tough assignment against the ladder-leading Truganina Rabbitohs.
The Eels were no match for the Rabbitohs, who ran in nine tries to two, but there positive signs for the Eels moving forward.
Atticus Buchanan and Ethan Cook both crossed for tries against the best team in the competition, while Carlos Selio went 50-50 in his attempt at conversions.
The under-15 girls also ran into some very strong opposition, going down 44-10 to Waverley-Oakleigh Panthers.
