Lions in SA
Lions subdue gutsy Kings
2009-06-16 17:22
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Francois Hougaard (Gallo Images)
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Port Elizabeth - The British and Irish Lions juggernaut claimed another victim Tuesday with a hard-earned 20-8 win over Southern Kings.
It was not pretty rugby at the just-completed Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, hosting its first international fixture ahead of the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
But the 35,000-plus crowd loved every minute as a hastily assembled South African selection including five players from the Eastern Cape region gave their all and turned over at 3-3 before fading as the second half wore on.
A sixth consecutive tour win for the Lions came at a price with fly-half James Hook and prop Euan Murray retiring injured early in the first half just four days before the first Test against the Springboks in Durban.
The Lions boasted an 85-kilogram advantage up front and it showed in an early scrum as the Kings disintegrated, but the home team took a second-minute lead via a penalty from fly-half Jaco van der Westhuyzen.
He was well short with another kick at goal and spent 10 minutes in the 'sin bin' midway through the half after Welsh referee Nigel Owens caught him making a late tackle on Riki Flutey.
However, despite weight and numerical advantages, the Lions battled to break free from in-your-face opponents and all they could manage was three points from a penalty by replacement fly-half Ronan O'Gara.
Van der Westhuyzen was just off target with his third penalty attempt on the stroke of half-time, leaving the teams level before a crowd of 35,500 in the southern coastal city.
O'Gara maintained his 100 percent place kicking record in this match by succeeding with another penalty on 45 minutes and soon after he set up the first try with a cross-field kick.
The ball landed in the corner and when Kings wing Mat Turner failed to gather, Ugo Monye managed to touch the ball for a try awarded only after a lengthy study of the incident by the television match official.
O'Gara, competing with Welshman Stephen Jones for the number 10 shirt in the Test team, converted from the touchline and for the first time the Lions had some breathing space with a 13-3 advantage.
The fading Kings were dealt a severe blow on 63 minutes when lock Ross Skeate was shown a yellow card for playing the ball on the ground and O'Gara failed for the first time as the resultant penalty hit a post.
Lions were awarded a penalty try 11 minutes from full-time which O'Gara converted only for the Kings to hit back with flanker Mpho Mbiyozo going over in the corner to close the scoring.
Scorers:
Southern Kings: Try: Mpho Mbiyozo. Penalty: Jaco van der Westhuyzen.
British and Irish Lions: Tries: Ugo Monye, penalty try. Conversions: Ronan O'Gara (2). Penalties: O'Gara (2).
Man of the Match: Mpho Mbiyozo