Two tries from Henson gives Lions win

Lions hooker Andy Titteral evades the tackle of Clarke Dermody at Rugby Park, Invercargill, tonight. Picture / Fotopress

FULLTIME: Lions 26 Southland 16

A more creative Lions side tried to stamp their authority on Southland early in Invercargill tonight but failed to open a sizeable gap.  

The home side showed grit and determination to keep the score down though they never looked like putting the tourists under real pressure.  

An almost third-string Lions side passed the ball around the backline and capitalised with a first try from Gavin Henson after 13 minutes, the score coming at the end of a number of phases.  

The home side were rarely in the game in the first half despite good, mild conditions in the deep south.  

They showed more endeavour early in the second though and the change in approach showed dividends when Hale T-Pole scored a try back on 44 minutes, working the forwards through the Lions' pack after a lineout. 

The try was converted to tie the scores at 13-13.  

But parity was not to last long, Henson scoring his second try of the night after a period of sustained pressure where the Lions looked to have various options. First five-eighth Ronan O'Gara converted from under the posts and the lead was again seven points. 

O'Gara's goal kicking was better than it has been for much of the tour so far. Early on he had scored a penalty and he also converted Henson's first try. Later in the game, a penalty on the hour mark made the lead 20-10.  

His counterpart Apanui took the sensible option in the following minute, successfully kicking for goal when Henson fouled in the tackle in his own 22.

Another exchange of penalties took the score to 23-16 with five minutes to play. O'Gara then opted for a kick at goal, to derision from the crowd, on the final whistle and scored. 

In the first half, Apanui had kept the home side in sight with a penalty - his second attempt of the night - after 17 minutes. Southland were, however, causing the Lions very few problems and after 35 minutes had had just 29 per cent of the territory.  

Watisoni Lotawa made a burst late in the first half, almost Southland's first meaningful attack of the game. 

A missed penalty on the stroke of halftime, had it been converted, would have given them greater hope for the second period.

Lions 26 (Tries: Gavin Henson 2; Penalties: Ronan O'Gara 4; Conversions: O'Gara 2)
Southland 16 (Try: Hale T-Pole; Penalties: Richard Apanui 3; Conversion: Apanui)