Saturday 9 June 2018

Toronto Wolfpack 32, London Broncos 12, Lamport Stadium, Toronto, ON

The Toronto Wolfpack RLFC is a Canadian professional rugby league club, based in here Toronto, which competes in the British Rugby Football League system.  In 2018 the club is competing in the Championship, having begun to play in 2017 in League 1 and won a promotion in its inaugural season.  The club is noted as being the first North American team to play in the Rugby Football League system, the first fully professional rugby league team in Canada and the world's first transatlantic rugby league team.  Their home stadium is Lamport Stadium (aka "The Den"), which is just a couple blocks from where we live.

This afternoon they were playing the London Broncos.  It was the first home game at Lamport Stadium and there was lots going on outside the stadium.  The cheerleaders and Jefferson, the new mascot, were mingling among the fans.

Gord and the Wolfpack cheerleaders
Jefferson, the Wolfpack mascot

Seating is general admission (so you can sit where you want).  Gord and I usually sit in the middle on the east side.  Our friend, Trish, joined us ... it was her first Wolfpack game.


God Save the Queen and O Canada were sung before the game.


And the game began ...


The Wolfpack cheering section was loud and lively as usual.


There is a beer garden that is open before, during and after the game and it's a popular spot.


I went over to say hello to Cam in the Lost Craft tent (I've gotten to know him through beer festivals and the Wolfpack games).


I ran into Gillian.  I've gotten to know her through beer festivals also.  She recently started working for BrewDog.  Unfortunately their generator kept dying so they weren't able to sell any beer. Gillian's sign says it all.


At the end of the first half, the Wolfpack was winning 14 - 6.  Yay!


There are Gord and Trish ...


And the second half began ...


Here are Gord, me and Trish ...


The attendance at today's game was just over 7,300.


The Wolfpack won 32 - 12 and the teams hugged it out.


The players are great with their fans, hanging out after the game and signing teeshirts, etc.


The beer garden was a popular spot even after the game was over.


It's great to have the Wolfpack back!

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