Pakenham is now on a three-game losing streak in NRL Victoria’s Second Grade Men’s competition after the Eels fell to North West Wolves in a high-scoring shootout at Comely Banks Reserve.
The Eels, now seventh, needed a win to keep their faint finals hopes alive but succumbed to the third-placed Wolves 28-22 after a hard-fought affair.
The Eels defeated the Wolves in their match-up earlier this season in round seven, and matched motors with the premiership contenders for large portions of the match.
Troy Pulupaki crossed the line twice for Pakenham on the day, but the Eels defence leaked five tries, with Tamati Hauraki-Tyrell scoring twice and singles to Jack Doolan, Tyree Kamana and Joredson Malaga giving the visitors the winning edge.
Dominiko Tuau had his kicking boots on for Pakenham, converting three of four tries, but it wasn’t enough to get the Eels across the line.
Pakenham is now out of finals calculations and has two games remaining in its season; against Truganina and Melton Broncos; both away fixtures.
NRL VICTORIA MEN’S SECOND GRADE
Results R14: Sunshine Cowboys 28 def by Altona Roosters 40, Truganina Rabbitohs 26 def Casey Warriors 20, Pakenham Eels 22 def by North West Wolves 28, Werribee Bears v Doveton Steelers (No Result), Melton Broncos 12 def by Eastern Raptors 34.
Ladder: Eastern Raptors 20, Melton Broncos 19, North West Wolves 19, Altona Roosters 14, Werribee Bears 13, Doveton Steelers 12, Pakenham Eels 11, Casey Warriors 11, Truganina Rabbitohs 9, Sunshine Cowboys -2.
Fixture R15: Casey Warriors (8) v Doveton Steelers (6), Werribee Bears (5) v Eastern Raptors (1), Melton Broncos (2) v Sunshine Cowboys (10), North West Wolves (3) v Altona Roosters (4), Truganina Rabbitohs (9) v Pakenham Eels (7).
