Lions Bite Bigger Than Sharks: Lions 39-3 Sharks

10/06/09 19:57 Filed in: Results
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In the end it was a convincing victory at the ABSA Stadium in Durban as the British & Irish Lions ran out 39-3 winners against the Natal Sharks. The tourists scored 5 tries including 4 in the second half after far superior possession told.

The defensive effort was also excellent as the Sharks didn't cross despite sustained position at times. The Lions however, did not have a great day at the breakdown as they conceded far too many penalties. 15 in total and in the final 20 minutes it really hurt the Lions both defensively and in attack.

It was far from the perfect performance, but crucially, the Lions maintained their winning record and did so outscoring their opposition 5 tries to nil. Rarely do we criticise the ref here on Pride of Lions, but Jonathan Kaplan gave the Lions front row a very tough time in the first half despite their clear superiority over their Sharks counterparts. He even gave a penalty against Gethin Jenkins from the far side of the scrum. Come the second half, it seemed that either someone had had a word or he'd realised that he'd not had such a good performance at scrumtime as his officiating was far more accurate.

Despite massively superior possession in the first half, the Lions ran in only 4 points ahead at the interval, 7-3 up over their hosts. Until Lee Mears crossed on 23mins the Lions had simply failed to finish a number of good scoring positions after repeatedly declining the option for points. Brian O'Driscoll was also hauled down just short in the first half after an excellent interception although his class told in the 2nd as he held his line in the wing channel to provide space and ball for Fitzgerald to finish.

Likewise, Mike Phillips scored a rampaging try after cutting through a gap at the base and running the cover defence ragged to finish easily in the corner. His half-back partner, Ronan O'Gara, had an excellent day with the boot, but there was a noticeable drop in slickness compared to the all welsh 9,10,12 axis fielded last week. O'Gara sought to kick to much ball away and was at times indecisive in his passing.

Lee Mears was the pick of the forwards and had a great game at the lineout, throwing very well and popping up everywhere in the loose.

The Lions next face Western Province on Saturday as we build towards the first test on the 20th June.

We'll have player ratings and match analysis tomorrow.

British and Irish Lions (7) 39
Tries: Mears, Phillips, Fitzgerald, Byrne, Heaslip
Cons: O'Gara 3, Hook
Pens: O'Gara 2

Sharks (3) 3
 Pen: Kockott
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