Lions Tour: Lions lead by 29 at break

Latest score:

Lions 32-3 Queensland Reds

Con: Wilkinson (3) Con:

Pen: Wilkinson (2) Pen: Flatley

Try: Luger, Henderson, James, Hill Try:

The Lions produced some brilliant attacking rugby to dominate Super 12 semi-finalists Queensland Reds at Ballymore and take a comprehensive half-time lead.

Dan Luger, Rob Henderson, Dafydd James and Richard Hill all scored tries, while Jonny Wilkinson kicked two penalties and three conversions.

The Reds were without injured Wallabies trio John Eales, Chris Latham and Ben Tune but still fielded six of the Australian side that defeated a powerful New Zealand Maori team in Sydney last Saturday.

And the Lions were braced for easily their toughest examination so far Down Under, having destroyed Western Australia and a Queensland President’s XV by huge margins.

Lions captain Martin Johnson and his England team-mate Wilkinson both featured for the first time on tour as coach Graham Henry paraded a Test-strength outfit.

Referee Stuart Dickinson had his hands full immediately, with both packs getting to grips with each other and Lions scrum-half Rob Howley being flattened by a punch from Queensland hooker Michael Foley.

Dickinson lectured both captains - and Foley - but the Lions were awarded a penalty which Wilkinson rifled safely to touch.

Fly-half Wilkinson received plenty of early possession, switching play left and right while attempting to introduce Irish midfield dangerman Brian O’Driscoll.

Still the brawling continued though, Dickinson issuing another warning and then penalising Lions prop Phil Vickery for over-vigorous rucking. Reds fly-half Elton Flatley accepted his 30-metre chance and booted Queensland ahead.

But the Lions responded brilliantly after an uncertain start, rocking Queensland by creating a superb try for Luger.

Luger’s opposite wing Dafydd James tore into the Reds defence, Howley charged on, with flanker Neil Back’s diving pass finding Wilkinson, whose inch-perfect cross-kick was taken by Luger and he crossed unopposed.

Wilkinson failed to convert Luger’s fourth tour touchdown, yet the Lions held a 5-3 lead following an intense opening quarter.

A 23rd-minute Wilkinson penalty his first points for the Lions increased that advantage and Queensland only had themselves to blame when they leaked a second try.

Flatley’s attempted defensive clearance was charged down by Lions number eight Martin Corry, playing instead of the injured Scott Quinnell, and Reds wing Junior Pelesasa fumbled under pressure from Richard Hill, giving Henderson a gift score.

Wilkinson converted and quickly added another penalty, easing the Lions out to an 18-3 advantage, all those points having been scored during a damaging 15-minute spell.

Henderson continued to relish the task, again underlining his Test claims through a powerful performance that eclipsed his illustrious centre colleague O’Driscoll.

The Lions conjured up another try just before half-time. A crunching Corry tackle on Reds lock Nathan Sharpe caused panic in Queensland’s defence, and hooker Keith Wood’s kick ahead gave James a scoring chance.

He pounced ruthlessly, capitalising on the sluggish Foley’s poor awareness, and Wilkinson’s conversion opened up an imposing 25-3 before his stunning inside pass sent Hill galloping over for another converted score.