Irish Players play a huge factor in Renegade Win

The Toronto Renegades opened their 2001 season with a lopsided win over the Montreal Menace on Saturday, June 9th at the Ajax Wanderers park.  The 1st XV's match vs. the Oakville Crusaders was postponed due to the commitments to the Renegades, as was the match between the Balmy Beach and the York Yeomen.

Ed Gardner, #10 with the Toronto Renegades, lead the way on the weekend by scoring 14 points in the Toronto side’s defeat of the Menace by a final score of 46-18.  Dave Laing started in the second row and Dave Bergeron played on the wing.  Hooker Mark Cosgrove and Flanker Mark Thompson both came of the bench in the second half and put in some thumping tackles for the "Rennies".

Starting Canadian team Hooker Dale Burleigh will probably not be available to join the lads on the Renegades trip to the East Coast, as he'll be getting ready for the Pac Rim championships in Japan, in the first week of July.  Irish Captain Jon Ashley (Tight Head Prop) is currently on the mend after breaking his hand, and should be available shortly.  Oren Smith (Centre), Derek Daypuck (Wing/Fullback), Dennis Van Kerrebroeck (Flanker) and Peter Crocker (Lock/No. 8) will all be fighting to earn a spot in the team that will face the "The Rock" from Newfoundland on June 30th in Toronto.

Toronto Renegades Scoring: David Moonlight - York Yeomen, Andrew Vaughn - Beach, Andrew Yearwood - Beach (1 try), Sonny Pirrotta - Markham (2 tries), Barclay Luke - Brantford Harlequins (1 try, and 1 conversion), Ed Gardner - ICRC (1 try, 3 conversions and 1 penalty goal)

Dave Laing smashes into 2 Montreal Menace players on June 9th. (Picture from TRU Website)