Western Force v British and Irish Lions: Second win for tourists

The Lions ran in nine tries against a committed if under-strength Force side, as they continue their build-up towards the first Test against the Wallabies on June 22.

There was some impressive link play in the backs and the expected power up front, but this was far from a flawless performance and the concession of two close-range tries will cause some concern among the Lions coaching staff.

The flawless goal-kicking of Leigh Halfpenny with 11 kicks for 24 points was a particular plus, while Jamie Heaslip, George North, Brian O'Driscoll and Mako Vunipola off the bench were particularly impressive

Jonathan Sexton's display was also a plus, with the Ireland fly-half's neat inside dummy creating his trot-in try after 10 minutes.

But the next 20 minutes were notable for a series of Lions errors, with Rory Best's loose lineout throws twice wasting good possession and the Force deserved their first points from a Brett Sheehan penalty just past the half hour.

The Lions hit back quickly as really neat handling from Sean O'Brien and North on the left wing put O'Driscoll diving over for a good finish.

On a high

Prop Cian Healy was stretchered off shortly afterwards after turning his ankle, but the Lions finished the half on a high as a stretched Force defence was sucked in and Tom Croft went over out wide.

The second half started equally brightly as Heaslip mades the break up the middle and after good recycling, Jonathan Sexton's long pass gave his Ireland teammate a walk-in.

But the Lions paid for sloppy work at the re-start as Richard Brown muscled over from close range and Sheehan converted, before quickly making amends when Vunipola barged his way over Sam Christie and in at the corner.

The Force were under pressure now and Ed Stubbs was sin-binned for not rolling away in front of the posts; the Lions took a scrum and Tommy Bowe scored in the corner.

Lachlan McCaffrey's try under the posts after another poor re-start for the Lions was rather too easy, but there was a good response from the tourists in the final quarter despite losing Alun-Wyn Jones to the sin-bin for a similar offence to Stubbs'.

A lovely combination between Sexton, Manu Tuilagi and O'Driscoll resulted in the Ireland centre going in under the posts, Owen Farrell scored with his first touch thanks to a neat dummy and after more good work from Vunipola, Geoff Parling capped a fine performance off the bench with the final try.

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