Brumbies 24
Lions 13
The Brumbies notched up their second Super 14 win on the trot, downing the Lions 24-13 at Canberra Stadium last night.
The home side scored three tries to one, including a first-half penalty try, to ensure the Lions remain winless in Canberra from nine attempts.
The Brumbies dominated the penalty and possession stakes, andkept the Lions scrum under constant pressure.
That pressure was finally converted into points five minutes before the break, when referee Steve Walsh awarded the Brumbies a penalty try after constant infringements by the Lions' scrum.
The Lions, who came into the match with an entire new front row, struggled to match the well-organised Brumbies pack.
They were penalised numerous times in the first half for striking too early in the scrum, resulting in tighthead prop Kevin Buys copping a yellow card in the 25th minute.
The Brumbies went to the break with a 10-3 lead.
The Lions opened the second-half scoring with a penalty, but the Brumbies were the first to cross the line when a burst from flanker Rocky Elsom put inside centre Christian Lealiifano into a gap.
While the Lions were able to stay in touch through the boot of No 10 Burton Francis and a second-half try to prop Hannes Franklin, the Brumbies always looked the better side.
Despite slippery conditions on a rainy night, the Brumbies showed a willingness to spread to the ball, and worked to the last minute in the quest for a fourth-try bonus point.
But they were unable to crack a committed Lions defence despite being camped on the visitors' line for the last five minutes of the match.
Brumbies first five-eighths Matt Giteau had a largely quiet night with ball in hand but was on fire with the boot, kicking five from five.
The Lions remain winless from four matches this season, and the Brumbies have won three from four.
- AAP
