MONDAY, 9.00AM:
THE British Lions beat Western Province 38-21 at Newlands Stadium in Cape Town on Saturday, playing to a capacity crowd. Lions led 18-14 at half-time, and kept their concentration levels high throughout the game.
Western Province, including eight Springbok players, tried to keep up, and even had a 21-18 lead just after half time, but the Lions put on the pressure in the last quarter to win the game decisively.
The Lions’ loose forward Tim Rodber said they still have to get used to the South African methods of play, but added, “we sorted out most of the problems on the field and it is just a matter of adapting to the refereeing and the South Africa way of scrummaging”.
British Lions: tries by John Bentley (2), Allan Tait, Ieuan Evans; three conversions, four penalties by Tim Stimpson.
Western Province: tries by Dick Muir (2) and Robbie Brink; three conversions by Percy Montgomery.
SPRINGBOK James Small says he was gouged in the eye by Lions right winger John Bentley during the match. Small said he thought the attack was deliberate and “cowardly”. He said: “He fingered me in the eye when I was defenceless. I took exception to that. I thought the act was a cowardly one.” Small may face disciplinary action for not shaking hands with Bentley after the game.