Lions lead at break in hard-fought game

Cheetahs 14 British and Irish Lions 23

The British and Irish Lions took a half-time lead at Vodacom Park but it was far from plain sailing.

Early tries by flanker Stephen Ferris and centre Keith Earls threatened a points blitz, yet the Cheetahs struck back after Ferris was yellow-carded.

Wing Danwel Demas and prop Wian du Preez touched down for the Cheetahs, with Jacques-Louis Potgieter converting both, while Lions fly-half James Hook booted 13 points.

For the first time since arriving in South Africa 13 days ago, the Lions were greeted by overcast conditions for a game refereed by leading English official Wayne Barnes.

The tourists made a lively start, looking to keep possession alive, but an O’Callaghan knock-on sacrificed a promising attacking position deep inside the Cheetahs’ 22.

A juggernaut Lions front-row of Andrew Sheridan, Ross Ford and Euan Murray looked to have made its mark, but the game’s second scrum disintegrated into a brawl.

Lions flanker Stephen Ferris and Cheetahs lock Nico Breedt wrestled on the floor, while several other players also got involved before Barnes warned Murray and his opposite number Wian du Preez.

Fly-half James Hook hoisted the Lions ahead with a 40-metre penalty after seven minutes, but the visitors were already embroiled in a far more fierce encounter than at Ellis Park three days ago.

Hook’s opposite number Jacques-Louis Potgieter missed a long-range penalty chance, and the Lions responded by catching the home defence asleep.

The Cheetahs failed to clear 30 metres out, and Ferris reacted quickest, gathering possession and sprinting unopposed to the line for a try which Hook converted.

It was Ferris’ second touchdown of the tour, putting him one behind leading try-scorer Tommy Bowe, as the Lions began to take a firm grip on proceedings.

And with a one-sided opening quarter reaching its conclusion, the Lions struck again.

Hook’s delightful kick into space was collected by Earls, who showed a blistering turn of pace to leave the Cheetahs’ defence for dead. Hook added the extras for a commanding 17-0 advantage.

Ferris blotted his copybook by collecting the Lions’ first yellow card on tour, leaving Barnes with little option when he prevented quick Cheetahs ball from being released.

Down to seven forwards, the Lions found themselves under pressure, even though a second Hook penalty had extended their lead to 20-0.

The Cheetahs made their temporary one-man advantage count after good work by the forwards helped created an overlap for wing Danwel Demas.

Potgieter converted, leaving the Lions reflecting on the first points they had conceded since just before half-time at Ellis Park on Wednesday night.

And the Cheetahs almost scored again just six minutes later, but Demas agonisingly failed to gather his kick ahead, and the Lions escaped.

It was only a temporary reprieve though, and with Ferris still off, workaholic du Preez stormed over for a try that Potgieter improved.

Ferris’ caution had proved costly – 14 points were conceded while he was off - and the Lions needed to tighten up considerably as half-time approached.

Hook’s third successful penalty gave them a degree of breathing space, yet the Lions knew they were in a real contest.