Toronto Wolfpack thrilled a record crowd by beating the Swinton Lions 52-10 on Sunday in their first home game back at Lamport Stadium.
The 9.562 attendees were a record in the short history of the local side, and among the highest ever for a Rugby League game in the Kingstone Press Championship.
Gaz O’Brien scored the first try for the Toronto Wolfpack (Shannon Pakulis)
Toronto got off to a good start with Gaz O’Brien putting four points on the board for the Wolfpack six minutes into the first half.
Shortly after Toronto was up six more points with Blake Wallace’s try plus his conversion.
However, Lions’ forward Gavin Bennion intercepted the ball in the middle of the pitch minutes later and flew up the field to Toronto’s end. Before completing the run Bennion passed the ball off to Harry Aaronson who was open on the left side of the field for the try.
Swinton received six points for Aaronson’s try plus the conversion but the Wolfpack still remained ahead 10-6.
Blake Wallace gave Toronto two tries in match against Swinton Lions. (Shannon Pakulis)
With six minutes left in the first half Bodene Thompson gave Toronto another try for a16-6 lead, conversion again by Wallace.
Andy Ackers’ try (Wallace convert) plus a field goal at the end of the first half sent the Pack to the dressing room up 24-6.,
Toronto got to a good start yet again six minutes into the second half with Andrew Dixon’s try and Wallace’s conversion.
Ricky Leutele still standing after four defenders try to take him down. (Shannon Pakulis)
Ricky Leutele was a beast on the field not letting tackles stop him. Often Swinton had three to four men trying to take him down but he kept going and made good distance up the field for the Wolfpack.
Leutele scored a try in the second half putting four more points on the board for the Wolfpack plus Wallace’s conversion for 34-6.
Toronto got three more tries, Tom Olbison with one, a second by Blake Wallace, and another try made by Adam Higson. Three Wallace converts ended the Pack scoring at 52.
No animals were harmed in the making of this photo. (Shannon Pakulis)
A late Swinton score finished the day 52-10.
The first place Wolfpack go up against the Bradford Bulls, fourth in the table on on a five game roll, at Lamport Stadium next Sunday.