Lions restore pride with 10-try romp
GOLDEN LIONS (10) vs. BRITISH LIONS (74)
BRITISH and Irish Lions assistant coach Warren Gatland toasted a morale-boosting triumph after they ran in 10 tries in a ruthless drubbing of Golden Lions in Johannesburg.
England wing Ugo Monye, Wales centre Jamie Roberts and Ireland wing Tommy Bowe scored two tries each, while stand-in captain Brian O’Driscoll, England flanker Tom Croft and substitutes James Hook and Stephen Ferris also went over.
Fly-half Stephen Jones kicked 18 points and his fellow Welshman Hook added three late conversions against the Super 14 outfit as the Lions sent a message to South Africa ahead of the Test series.
The tourists had a point to prove, having begun their summer trip with a laboured victory over the Royal XV last weekend. But a much-changed side produced the response demanded of them – to Gatland’s delight.
“I think it’s a big step. We were pretty disappointed with the opening game but we hadn’t been together for a long time,” he said.
“We really fronted up today and we’re pleased. It gets the tour on track and hopefully earns a bit of respect.
“That’s what tonight’s performance is all about. We’ve not been given much of a chance coming here and the boys just wanted to show we’re a good team.”
O’Driscoll, skippering the Lions for the first time since dislocating his shoulder on the 2005 tour, said: “This is where the Lions want to be at. We wanted to set out a marker and everyone who took to the pitch did that.”
The Lions pack dominated their opponents, allowing the backs to run amok, with Roberts and Bowe particularly impressive. Croft also shone although flanker David Wallace suffered an early injury scare when he was kicked in the ribs.
Meanwhile Ireland centre Gordon D’Arcy has joined the squad amid concerns in the back division.