Hook's boot saves Lions' blushes
Sat, 06 Jun 2009 17:09
Big boot: Lions flyhalf James Hook
The British and Irish Lions retained their unbeaten run with a nailbiting 26-24 win over the Cheetahs in match three of their 10-game South African safari, but it was a lot closer than coach Ian McGeechan would have liked.
It was the boot of flyhalf James Hook, who contributed 16 points in a flawless kicking display - not missing a single shot at goal. He certainly put down his marker for inclusion on the tourists' Test team, as he also showed great tactical appreciation.
In stark contrast the Cheetahs - who outscored the tourists by three tries to two - missed several goalable penalties, with both starting No.10 Jacques-Louis Potgieter and replacement flyhalf Louis Strydom struggling to find the target.
Despite taking a 20-0 lead in as many minutes, the Lions were desperately hanging on in the end as the Cheetahs outscored the tourists by 24-6 in the final hour of the Bloemfontein encounter.
The Cheetahs, putting on a far better display than the Golden Lions did in midweek, certainly gave the Springboks a few pointers and showed that the B&I Lions are indeed vulnerable under pressure.
Also putting on a fine display was discarded Springbok flank Heinrich Brussow, who did yeoman work on the ground and managed to turn over a number of ball, showing how the Lions can be beaten on the ground.
The B&I Lions dominated the early possession - making a mess of the Cheetahs' scrums and also managing to disrupt the Cheetahs' line-outs throughout.
The tourists were also very good with spoiling at the breakdown, and while it was certainly not always legal, they got away with it - which again shows that you play what is in front of you and adapt to whatever the match officials allow.
The tourists are certainly good at that, or maybe it was that are more accustomed to the interpretations of English referee Wayne Barnes.
The Cheetahs, after that slow start, managed to get back into the game in the second half and with Brüssow dominant at the breakdown had a great opportunity to steal in the match.
In the end they fell just short - a valiant effort that will have ensured the Lions' feet are firmly back on the ground after their 10-try midweek rout in Johannesburg.
Referee Wayne Barnes showed he is still very good at missing things like knock-ons, forward passes and also appears to be troubled by what props do at scrum-time. He is now just as popular in Bloemfontein as he was in New Zealand, following the 2007 World Cup quarterfinal between the All Blacks and Frances.
The early exchanges were highlighted by a little scrap involving props Wian du Preez and Euan Murray, following an early engagement at a scrum. The result was a free kick to the Cheetahs.
However, the B&I Lions had the first shot at points, a penalty from a tackle situation and then a quick tap getting it advanced 10 metres. James Hook slotted it from 40 metres out for a 3-0 lead.
The Cheetahs had their first shot at goal when Joe Worsley was penalised for falling over the ball at a ruck. Jacques-Louis Potgieter pushed it just wide.
In fact the B&I Lions stretched their lead when flank Stephen Ferris picked up a loose ball behind a ruck as Cheetahs scrumhalf Tewis de Bruyn when walk-abouts. Hooker made it 10-0 in as many minutes.
And the scoring rout continued when a neat little chip by James Hook was collected by Keith Earls for another easy score, but a well-executed move. Hook made it 17-0 as the tourists continued to keep in touch with the clock.
Then followed a penalty against Meyer Bosman for not releasing in the tackle and Hook made it 20-0 in the 21st minute.
The Lions were reduced to 14 men soon afterwards, as flank Stephen Ferris undid his earlier good work by getting yellow-carded for deliberately killing the ball.
And the Cheetahs made their numerical advantage count when they created the space out wide on the left for flyer Danwell Demas - following some strong phase play. This time Potgieter was on target and at 7-20 the Cheetahs at least had something to show for their endeavour.
Demas had another golden opportunity at scoring a try, from a turnover, but a silly error - when he kicked the ball ahead instead of backing himself - saw the ball go dead.
However, it mattered little as prop Wian du Preez barrelled his way over from a brilliant turnover by Heinrich Brussow 15 metres out from the Lions' line. Potgieter made it 14-20 with just five minutes of the half remaining - Ferris's sin-binning costing his team 14 points.
A very dubious penalty at a scrum with two minutes left on the clock gave Hook another shot at goal and he made no mistake - 23-14, which is how it stayed till the half-time break.
The first scoring opportunity after the break went to the Cheetahs, as Leigh Halfpenny was pinged for an air tackle and Potgieter narrowed the gap to 17-23.
However, a strong Lions scrum gave the tourists another penalty right in front of the uprights and Hook made it six-from-six as the Lions restored their nine-point lead - 26-17.
Within minutes the Cheetahs, following a strong run down the left touchline, had a penalty shot at goal when Joe Worsley failed to release the tackled player. But Potgieter was wide of the mark.
The penalties kept coming against the Cheetahs, who were forced to make an increasing number of tackles as the Lions were beginning to dominate both possession and territory going into the final quarter.
With about 11 minutes left on the clock the Cheetahs won another penalty, as Harry Ellis went offside, and replacement Louis Strydom had a shot at goal - also pushing it wide of the uprights.
But within minutes, and completely against the run of play, Corné Uys intercepted to race 80 metres for a try that put the Cheetahs back in the hunt. Strydom added the conversion to make it 24-26 with wight minutes left on the clock.
With just over a minute on the clock the Cheetahs worked their way upfield and Louis Strydom had a long-range drop-goal attempt, but again it drifted wide of the upright - agonisingly close.
Referee Wayne Barnes ended the game by awarding a penalty against the Cheetahs, much to the dismay of the local players and spectators - handing the Lions a two-point (26-24) win.
Man of the match: For the Cheetahs the standout player was discarded Springbok flank Heinrich Brüssow, who was brilliant at winning turnover and it is a travesty that he is no longer in the Bok set-up. Behind a strong Lions pack scrumhalf Harry Ellis was a livewire, while lock and captain Paul O'Connell gave his team the grunt they needed. However, our award goes to Lions flyhalf James Hook - who showed good tactical appreciation and did not miss a kick at goal, which is what won his team the game.
Moment of the match: There were two good tries and four crucial penalties by the B&I Lions, but we feel the most crucial play was Danwell Demas's try in 25th minute - a great little move down the left touchline that sparked the Cheetahs' comeback and showed how vulnerable the tourists can be.
Villain of the match: This one is easy. It goes to Lions flank Stephen Ferris, who let his team down with a yellow card and saw the Cheetahs grab the momentum.
The scorers:
For the Cheetahs:
Tries: Demas, Du Preez, Uys
Cons: Potgieter 2, Strydom
Pen: Potgieter
For the British and Irish Lions:
Tries: Ferris, Earls
Cons: Hook 2
Pens: Hook 4
Yellow card: Stephen Ferris (Lions, 23 - professional foul, deliberately killing the ball)
Teams:
Cheetahs: 15 Hennie Daniller, 14 Danwel Demas, 13 Corné Uys, 12 Meyer Bosman, 11 JW Jonker, 10 Jacques-Louis Potgieter, 9 Tewis de Bruyn, 8 Hendro Scholtz (captain), 7 Francois Uys, 6 Heinrich Brüssow, 5 David de Villiers, 4 Nico Breedt, 3 Kobus Calldo, 2 Adriaan Strauss, 1 Wian Du Preez
Replacements: 16 Richardt Strauss, 17 WP Nel, 18 Frans Viljoen, 19 Kabamba Floors, 20 Gerrie Odendaal, 21 Louis Strydom, 22 Fabian Juries.
British and Irish Lions: 15 Lee Byrne, 14 Leigh Halfpenny, 13 Keith Earls, 12 Luke Fitzgerald, 11 Shane Williams, 10 James Hook, 9 Harry Ellis, 8 Andy Powell, 7 Joe Worsley, 6 Stephen Ferris, 5 Paul O'Connell (captain), 4 Donncha O'Callaghan, 3 Euan Murray, 2 Ross Ford, 1 Andrew Sheridan.
Replacements: 16 Matthew Rees, 17 Adam Jones, 18 Simon Shaw, 19
Nathan Hines, 20 Mike Blair, 21 Ronan O'Gara, 22 Gordon D'Arcy.
Referee: Wayne Barnes (England)
Assistant referees: Mark Lawrence, Craig Joubert
TMO: Johann Meuwesen
* Did they impress you? How will the Lions cope against the Boks? Give us your view!
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