By David Nagel
The finals hopes of the Pakenham Eels Rugby League Club have taken a blow with the Eels forced to forfeit their round 12 Men’s Second Grade senior match against Waverley Panthers on Saturday.
With the seniors sitting idle on the sidelines, and the under-18 team having a bye, it was left to the Eels under-16s to fly the flag for Pakenham’s competittion sides.
The Eels took on Doveton, on the Steelers home deck at Betula Reserve, and were handed a 34-6 defeat at the hands of their polished opponents.
Dunamis Scanlan, CJ Buskermolen, Micah Warena, Phoenix Woods, Justice Koka-Sosense and Junior Fonoia all scored tries for the hosts, while Charlie Bannister gave the Eels supporters some joy when he crossed the line in the second half for the visitors only try for the match.
Full-back and Captain Isileli Tuitupou tried his heart out for the Eels, as did winger Maka Fetalaiga, while Epine Faafaga showed plenty of class through the centres.
The Eels competition sides are all back at home at Comely Banks Recreation Reserve this Saturday, with the seniors to take on Truganina Rabbitohs at 2:50pm.
The Eels under-16 team will launch proceedings at 12.35pm, followed by the under-18s at 1.35pm.
Both teams will host the Werribee Bears.
Most of the Pakenham Eels club travelled to Waverley Panthers Fields and took on Truganina Rabbitohs teams on Saturday.
The under-7 sides went to Greaves Reserve to complete a ‘tackle ready’ program and game to transition from a tag competition to tackle.
Results – Second Grade Men R12: Waverley Panthers defeated Pakenham (forfeit), Sunshine Cowboys 36 def Eastern Raptors 16, Casey Warriors defeated Truganina (forfeit).
Ladder: Casey Warriors 22, Sunshine Cowboys 18, Waverley Panthers 14, Eastern Raptors 6, Pakenham Eels 6, Truganina Rabbitohs -2.
Fixtures R13: Pakenham Eels v Truganina, Casey Warriors v Eastern Raptors, Sunshine Cowboy v Waverley Panthers.
