Lions roar past Highlanders
The Lions staged a stunning second-half comeback to clinch a 27-22 victory over the Highlanders at Coca Cola Park on Friday.
Last Updated: 08/05/09 9:32pm
The Lions staged a stunning second-half comeback to clinch a 27-22 victory over the Highlanders at Coca Cola Park.
Trailing 22-5 at the start of the second period, the Lions roared back with three tries of their own and leapfrogged their New Zealand counterparts as a result.
The victory was just the Lions' fourth in 12 matches and helped the home side rise to 11th in the Super 14 table.
The Highlanders went behind just six minutes into the match when wing Michael Killian crossed after Willem Alberts had stolen possession and set off on a storming run.
The visitors responded emphatically with tries from flanker Alando Soakai, wing Ben Smith and scrum-half Jimmy Cowan on the stroke of half-time.
Full-back Israel Dagg, who converted the second and third tries, extended the lead to 22-5 with a penalty early in the second half as the home fans started to fear the worst.
However, on 51 minutes Alberts inspired the Lions fightback by diving over from close range following a swift break by Jano Vermaak.
Loose forward Alberts also had a hand in Vermaak's try seven minutes later after he burst through a couple of tackles before feeding the scrum-half.
Then, in the 72nd minute, Lions wing Louis Ludik sped into the Otago 22 and handed the ball to Earl Rose, who went on to score what proved to be the match-winning try.
Fly-half Andre Pretorius booted over the conversion and struck again with a superb late drop goal from just inside the Highlanders' half.
