Otago not strong enough to hold Lions

Otago No.8 Grant Webb stops Lions wing Denis Hickie at Carisbrook tonight. Picture / Fotopress

FULLTIME: Otago 19 Lions 30 

The Lions secured a hard fought victory over Otago in tonight's tour match in Dunedin.  

Otago had taken the honours in the first half but the touring side battled back in the second period and late-on they asserted themselves to secure the win. 

Though conditions were good, errors again proved a problem for the Lions. They had to settle for 13-13 at halftime after a late try from Will Greenwood from a Charlie Hodgson cross-kick tied the score at the break. 

Their discipline was below par on occasion and they were given a final warning early in the second half for a dangerous tackle on Otago first five-eighth Nick Evans.  

Evans picked himself up to score the penalty and give his side an early second half lead. It was to be the last time Otago, who had earlier looked so dangerous, would lead in the game. 

A period of stalemate followed until a Lions scrum gave them an attacking option with 12 minutes of the second half gone. Scotland's Chris Cussiter broke through and, after relentless pressure, Welshman Ryan Jones on his debut scored under the posts. 

Strong Lions support at Carisbrook Stadium gave the biggest roar of the night as Hodgson converted to put the Lions into the lead for the first time 20-16.  

But the home support almost matched it in the 61st minute as Evans brought Otago within three points with his fourth penalty of the night.  

Only in the 70th minute did the Lions passing game finally look up to scratch, Shane Williams benefiting to score under the posts and seal the win.  

The first score of the game had come courtesy of 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 looked 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 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. 

The first burst of real pressure from the Lions came around the 20 minute mark and brought two penalties. Hodgson took the opportunity to level the scores.  

They were to regret the errors as Neil Brew made a break for Otago and offered a scoring opportunity for Danny Lee to touch down in the corner for the first try of the night. The try was converted by Evans to give a 13-6 lead until Greenwood's converted try levelled the scores just before halftime.  

But in the second half the British and Irish side, though fielding a second string team, proved too strong.

Lions 30 (Tries: Will Greenwood, Ryan Jones, Shane Williams; Penalties: Charlie Hodgson 3; Conversions: Hodgson 3)
Otago 19 (Try: Danny Lee; Penalties: Nick Evans 4; Conversion: Evans)
Halftime: 13-13 

* Full analysis of tonight's game on nzherald.co.nz/lionstour from 5am Sunday NZT (6pm Saturday BST/IST)