By RUSSELL BENNETT
THE Pakenham Silverbacks have again shown signs of improvement despite going down to the Gippsland Gladiators 34-12 in Footscray on Sunday morning.
The Morwell-based side, which currently sits atop Division 2, made a strong start to the contest. But a Steve Mclean touchdown pass to wide receiver Aaron Verbakel was the highlight of the first half for the Silverbacks. The Pakenham-based side improved drastically at the half, matching the Gladiators with a touchdown apiece after the main break.
The Silverbacks have already recorded their first win in their debut season, topping the Melbourne Uni Lions 38-20 in Ballarat on 25 May. They currently sit third in the second division, a game clear of the Lions.
A major downside to Sunday’s promising showing against the Gladiators was a dislocated elbow suffered by Verbakel, one of the Silverbacks’ most experienced players.
The Pakenham side – one of the most exciting and fastest-growing teams of any sport in Cardinia – still doesn’t have a field to call its own on game days.
The Silverbacks will be hoping to rebound from their Round 6 loss when they take on the second-placed Ballarat Falcons at the Delacombe Sports Centre this Saturday, 14 June from 10.30am.
