By David Nagel
Pakenham has put its hand up as a genuine finals contender in NRL Victoria’s Second Grade Men’s competition despite a hard-fought 20-8 loss to top-of-the-ladder Eastern Raptors.
A strong breeze blew towards the far end of Comely Banks Recreation Reserve on Saturday and the home-town Eels had the imposing job of trying to defend the best team in the competition with the wind at its back in the first half.
The Eels did a mighty job of restricting the visitors with some great defensive pressure and meaningful runs of possession.
Light-weight full-back Zyris Heng Khoth set the tone early for the Eels, bringing down Raptors prop Mafoe Laloulu in a mismatch on the weight scale.
Heng Khoth hung on for dear life, being the only player between Laloulu and the try line.
Eastern’s only try in the opening 40 minutes of play came courtesy of a brilliant 40-20 kick, with Samuel Daveta capitalising on the game-breaking play of his half back.
The Eels were too slow to set up defensively after the 40-20 kick, with Daveta crossing the line basically unattended.
The wind strength caused the ball to fall several times off the tee as Eastern kicker Lowell Wolfgramm attempted a wide conversion.
Wolfgramm was unsuccessful, leaving the Raptors 4-0 ahead after 10 minutes of play.
The Eels then absorbed a great deal of pressure, with Heng Khoth first taking a great catch in the swirling wind in defence, before using his nimble footwork to score the Eels first try just a minute later.
Damascus Lota had the impossible task of trying to kick through the uprights; the scores locked at 4-4 as the players enjoyed the half-time break.
The Eels were well-placed for victory, with scores locked and the wind at their back in the second half.
But the Raptors showed why they are the best in the competition at the moment, with Cooper Byrne touching down under the woodwork after a dazzling open-play run, before Atigi Faamatuainu showed true grit to shake off the Eels defence with a lunging dive under the posts.
Two easy conversions saw the Raptors take a 16-4 lead with 28 minutes remaining on the clock.
Apisalome Belebele then renewed hope for the Eels, scoring three minutes later, before Daveta ensured the premiership points were heading east after his second try for the match.
Pakenham could certainly hold its head high, with Belebele, Sadaris Lefau, Troy Pulupaki and Kain Salesulu taking things up to the Raptors with some powerful attacking runs and great hits in defence.
The Eels, now fifth, face a difficult road trip this week to third-placed North West Wolves.
NRL VICTORIA MEN’S SECOND GRADE
Results R6: Werribee 22 def by Truganina 24, Pakenham 8 def by Eastern 20, Sunshine 10 def by Doveton 30, Casey 26 def by North West 32, Melton 30 def Altona 22.
Ladder: Eastern 11, Melton 10, North West 9, Doveton 6, Pakenham 6, Casey 6, Altona 2, Truganina 2, Werribee 0, Sunshine 0.
Fixture R7: North West (3) v Pakenham (5), Werribee (9) v Doveton (4), Altona (7) v Sunshine (10), Casey (6) v Truganina (8), Eastern (1) v Melton (2).
