Waratahs 73
Lions 12
Australia winger Drew Mitchell scored four tries for New South Wales to lead the Waratahs to a 73-12 win over the winless Lions in their Super 14 game last night.
It was the first time the Waratahs had scored 11 tries in one Super rugby match, and Mitchell became the first New South Wales player to score four in a single match.
For the South Africans, it was the fifth loss in a row.
"We really tried to take advantage of our opportunities, and it paid off," Mitchell said after the game.
The Waratahs took only half an hour to earn a bonus point, and scored five first-half tries to canter to a 33-5 halftime lead.
They scored six more in the second half against a Lions team that showed little appetite for defence.
NSW showed a willingness to attack from deep and take quick taps and kick for touch, and did not take a single penalty shot for goal.
Phil Waugh played his record 119th match for the Waratahs, 41 of them as captain. He broke the previous team mark of 118 by former captain Chris Whitaker.
Berrick Barnes converted nine of the Waratahs' tries, and Tonderai Chavhanga and Janse van Rensburg scored the Lions' five-pointers.
The Lions are among only three teams this season without a win.
The South African Sharks will try to win their first in five when they play the ACT Brumbies today, and the Perth-based Western Force, the only team without a competition point, will meet the Queensland Reds tomorrow.
Waugh said the win was an important one for the Waratahs.
"We converted pressure into points, so we're pleased with the result."
Mitchell beat three defenders near the end of the first half for his second try, then added two more in the second half.
- AAP
