Otago wing Hayden Pederson (14) falls as he attempts to take high ball off Geordan Murphy in Dunedin tonight. Picture / Fotopress
HALFTIME: Otago 13 Lions 13
Otago took the honours in the first half of tonight's tour match against the Lions in Dunedin, though the score was tied at the break.
Only a try in the dying seconds of the half from Will Greenwood after a cross-kick from Charlie Hodgson restored some
pride for the touring side.
The first score of the half came courtesy of Nick Evans' boot from a penalty after six minutes.
He had opted to aim for the corner with a previous penalty, rather than kick for goal, but had missed touch. However, there was no mistake second time.
The home side was looking much the stronger early on, with the tourists failing to string any attacking play together.
Two infringements in a row by the Lions for not throwing straight at the lineout did not help the their cause.
Evans almost stretched the lead with a long distance effort, but struck the righthand upright. He had no problem with an even more difficult effort soon after to give Otago a six-point cushion.
Strong Lions support at Carisbrook Stadium was not put off by their team's early failure to stamp their authority on the match, and they were in good voice when the first burst of real pressure for the Lions coming around the 20 minute mark brought two penalties. Charlie Hodgson took the opportunity to level the scores.
Though conditions were good, handling errors were again a problem for the Lions, as they were against Wellington on Wednesday. A Hodgson knock-on in an attacking position prevented them threatening to take the lead.
They were to regret the errors as Neil Brew made a break and offered a scoring opportunity for Danny Lee to touch down in the corner for Otago. The try was converted by Evans to give a 13-6 lead until Greenwood's converted try levelled the scores.
