The Pakenham Warriors came away with one win and two losses in Round 9 Big V action.

The Division 2 Men were unable to match the firepower of Craigieburn as the Eagles asserted their dominance in the final quarter to run out 87-70 winners at Cardinia Life on Saturday night.

Big man Josh Bjelan (17 points, 15 rebounds, 3 assists) was a force on both ends of the court as he tried his best to keep the Warriors in it. Robin Maartens also chipped in with 12 points.

It wasn’t enough though, as three Eagles scored at least 19 points to spread the load and grab the win.

The loss was Pakenham’s second in a row and they now sit sixth on the ladder with a 5-5 record.

The Youth League 2 Men made light work of the Western Port Steelers at home on Saturday evening. Leading from start to finish, the Warriors took control in the first quarter and ran out 99-81 winners.

Ned Weideman gave the Steelers defence fits as he caught fire, finishing with 35 points (five triples) in an efficient and dominant display. Weideman wasn’t content with just scoring though, also recording 15 rebounds, 5 assist and 2 blocks.

Lee Belton added 19 points and grabbed 8 rebounds.

Pakenham remains fourth on the ladder with a record of 8-3 – just one loss more than the top-placed Melton Thoroughbreds.

The Youth League 2 Women were unable to overcome a slow start against the Blackburn Vikings on Sunday afternoon.

The Vikings jumped out to a 23-8 lead early, but to the Warriors credit, they fought back and almost pulled off a most unlikely comeback win, falling agonisingly short 69-70.

Samantha Neil (13 points, 10 rebounds, 7 assists, 4 steals, 4 blocks) was tremendous all game, while Sarah Thomson (16 points) top-scored for the Warriors. Ellie Coutts (8 points, 6 assists, 5 steals, 4 rebounds) was her usual do-it-all self.

The loss was Pakenham’s second of the season and the team still sits second on the ladder with an impressive 7-2 record.

The weekend was one of milestones for Pakenham, with Ben Gaze, Aidan Jenkinson and Tobie Dean celebrating 50-game milestones, and Craig Drew and Brad Szalek the magical 150.

In Round 10 Big V action, the Division 2 Men will head to Coburg on Saturday night to take on the second-placed Giants, while the Youth League 2 Women face the Southern Peninsula Sharks on the road on Saturday night.

The Youth League 2 Men have a busy weekend ahead, with a 6pm clash against Craigieburn at Cardinia Life on Saturday, before heading to Collingwood to battle the All Stars on Sunday afternoon.

The Pakenham Warriors came away with one win and two losses in Round 9 Big V action. The Division 2 Men were unable to match the firepower of Craigieburn as the Eagles asserted their dominance in the final quarter to run out 87-70 winners at Cardinia Life on Saturday night. Big man Josh Bjelan (17 points, 15 rebounds, 3 assists) was a force on both ends of the court as he tried his best to keep the Warriors in it. Robin Maartens also chipped in with 12 points. It wasn’t enough though, as three Eagles scored at least 19 points to spread the load and grab the win. The loss was Pakenham’s second in a row and they now sit sixth on the ladder with a 5-5 record. The Youth League 2 Men made light work of the Western Port Steelers at home on Saturday evening. Leading from start to finish, the Warriors took control in the first quarter and ran out 99-81 winners. Ned Weideman gave the Steelers defence fits as he caught fire, finishing with 35 points (five triples) in an efficient and dominant display. Weideman wasn’t content with just scoring though, also recording 15 rebounds, 5 assist and 2 blocks. Lee Belton added 19 points and grabbed 8 rebounds. Pakenham remains fourth on the ladder with a record of 8-3 – just one loss more than the top-placed Melton Thoroughbreds. The Youth League 2 Women were unable to overcome a slow start against the Blackburn Vikings on Sunday afternoon. The Vikings jumped out to a 23-8 lead early, but to the Warriors credit, they fought back and almost pulled off a most unlikely comeback win, falling agonisingly short 69-70. Samantha Neil (13 points, 10 rebounds, 7 assists, 4 steals, 4 blocks) was tremendous all game, while Sarah Thomson (16 points) top-scored for the Warriors. Ellie Coutts (8 points, 6 assists, 5 steals, 4 rebounds) was her usual do-it-all self. The loss was Pakenham’s second of the season and the team still sits second on the ladder with an impressive 7-2 record. The weekend was one of milestones for Pakenham, with Ben Gaze, Aidan Jenkinson and Tobie Dean celebrating 50-game milestones, and Craig Drew and Brad Szalek the magical 150. In Round 10 Big V action, the Division 2 Men will head to Coburg on Saturday night to take on the second-placed Giants, while the Youth League 2 Women face the Southern Peninsula Sharks on the road on Saturday night. The Youth League 2 Men have a busy weekend ahead, with a 6pm clash against Craigieburn at Cardinia Life on Saturday, before heading to Collingwood to battle the All Stars on Sunday afternoon.

Dora Messina has been watching the trees on her nature strip for 20 years, just waiting for one to drop a limb.

The Endeavour Hills resident has been writing to City of Casey, warning about the risk the “two huge gums” planted in her nature strip posed, for those two decades.

“When there is strong wind I sit there at the window and watch them sway left to right and pray that one doesn’t snap and fall on our house,” she said.

But a limb did come crashing down onto the footpath and her fence on 14 April.

“My husband was out there half an hour earlier,” she said.

“If it had hit him … ”

She’s now in a battle with the council for compensation to fix the damage caused.

Ms Messina said emergency services attended the Wills Court address and removed the branch.

She and her husband Salvatore provided quotes from a tradesman, photos of the damage, and even offered to complete the work for $250 in compensation.

But Ms Messina said the council’s response was that the weather was to blame for the damage.

“It’s the principle here,” she said.

“It’s not actually the cost of the damage.”

She said they’d now have to go through the own insurance to have the repairs completed, but their excess was higher than the damage bill.

“The trees are not suitable for where they are, not at the height they’ve become,” she said.

The Journal first reported on Ms Messina’s concerns about the destructive gum trees in March last year.

She said other branches had fallen into her property, leaves had blocked her gutters, and roots lifted her retaining wall.

Ms Messina said the council told her the trees were too healthy to be removed.

City of CAsey planning manager David Richardson said that following the incident in April, the council engaged an independent arborist to inspect both trees and found them to be in good health with no further remedial works required at this time.

“The community has strongly indicated that it values street trees and their vital role in maintaining a liveable city and ensuring a healthy environment,“ he said.

“Council is currently considering the residents’ claim.”

Dora Messina has been watching the trees on her nature strip for 20 years, just waiting for one to drop a limb. The Endeavour Hills resident has been writing to City of Casey, warning about the risk the “two huge gums” planted in her nature strip posed, for those two decades. “When there is strong wind I sit there at the window and watch them sway left to right and pray that one doesn’t snap and fall on our house,” she said. But a limb did come crashing down onto the footpath and her fence on 14 April. “My husband was out there half an hour earlier,” she said. “If it had hit him … ” She’s now in a battle with the council for compensation to fix the damage caused. Ms Messina said emergency services attended the Wills Court address and removed the branch. She and her husband Salvatore provided quotes from a tradesman, photos of the damage, and even offered to complete the work for $250 in compensation. But Ms Messina said the council’s response was that the weather was to blame for the damage. “It’s the principle here,” she said. “It’s not actually the cost of the damage.” She said they’d now have to go through the own insurance to have the repairs completed, but their excess was higher than the damage bill. “The trees are not suitable for where they are, not at the height they’ve become,” she said. The Journal first reported on Ms Messina’s concerns about the destructive gum trees in March last year. She said other branches had fallen into her property, leaves had blocked her gutters, and roots lifted her retaining wall. Ms Messina said the council told her the trees were too healthy to be removed. City of CAsey planning manager David Richardson said that following the incident in April, the council engaged an independent arborist to inspect both trees and found them to be in good health with no further remedial works required at this time. “The community has strongly indicated that it values street trees and their vital role in maintaining a liveable city and ensuring a healthy environment,“ he said. “Council is currently considering the residents’ claim.”

Star-gazers were out in force at Wilson Botanic Park, Berwick on 23 May to take part in an astronomical world record, but unfortunately thick cloud spoiled the party.

About 200 registered and rugged-up entrants joined hundreds of other groups around Australia to simultaneously view the Moon through telescopes for 10 minutes from 8.40pm.

The Casey-based party however was unable to get a glimpse of the lunar body through heavily overcast skies.

The current world record of 7,960 was set across 37 locations in Australia in 2005.

The latest attempt across more than 280 locations was jointly organised by the ABC and the Australian National University.

According to organisers, the world record cannot be declared until Guinness World Record judges confirm the numbers this evening (24 May).

Star-gazers were out in force at Wilson Botanic Park, Berwick on 23 May to take part in an astronomical world record, but unfortunately thick cloud spoiled the party. About 200 registered and rugged-up entrants joined hundreds of other groups around Australia to simultaneously view the Moon through telescopes for 10 minutes from 8.40pm. The Casey-based party however was unable to get a glimpse of the lunar body through heavily overcast skies. The current world record of 7,960 was set across 37 locations in Australia in 2005. The latest attempt across more than 280 locations was jointly organised by the ABC and the Australian National University. According to organisers, the world record cannot be declared until Guinness World Record judges confirm the numbers this evening (24 May).