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THE British and Irish Lions won the fourth match of their South African tour 39-3 against the Sharks in Durban yesterday.

The Lions scored five tries – four in the second half – in another performance which showed more good than bad. It was undoubtedly another step up in the build-up to the first Test against the Springboks at the same venue on June 20.

The Lions’ defence was once again outstanding, and the little ball that the Natalians did win came to naught. That, according to Lions captain Paul O’Connell, was especially pleasing.

The Lions spent the first 18 minutes or so in the Sharks’ half.

With only 31 per cent of the first half possession and less of the territory, the Sharks were up against it. The Lions scrummed well, and rucked sufficiently to drive the Sharks back on a number of occasions, with their mauling also an impressing feature. Quick ball from the rucks was also a feature, especially in the first half – and the sweet fruits of their hard work.

The Sharks defence held its own however at times – albeit just. They also looked impressive when they worked the ballwide, with the backs creating half an overlap for left wing Luke Fitzgerald the first time they opted to set their backs free.

Although their scrums as a unit worked well, World Cup discard Jannie du Plessis gave Lions loosehead Gethin Jenkins enough of a workout to again highlight Bok coach Peter de Villiers’ obsession with John Smit as a tighthead instead of as hooker. At the second opportunity, Jamie Roberts broke the Sharks defence.

When the Sharks attacked for the first time after 18 minutes looking dangerous in the process, Brian O’Driscoll came to the rescue. Intercepting in his own 22, he ran 85 metres but was surprisingly hauled in by Sharks replacement Lwazi Mvovo.

The only points for the Lions in the first half came after much pressure on 23 minutes, when Lee Mears went over after a series of rucks, while Rory Kockott’s penalty gave the Sharks their three points.

The inability to convert pressure into points changed just three minutes after the break with the Lions only 7-3 ahead on the scoreboard, but well in control on the field. Kockott’s clearance was caught by Fitzgerald, and from an ensuing lineout Jamie Heaslip crashed the ball up for Man of the Match Mike Phillips to break around Chris Jordaan for a very good try.

Phillips’ service, and especially his clearance from the ruck, impressed throughout, as did his good options, and outside him Ronan O’Gara looked like the man to take the pivot role in the Tests. The conversion of Phillips’ try and two penalties by O’Gara put the Lions 18-3 ahead 12 minutes into the second half. Ten minutes later a lovely try by Fitzgerald, converted from touch by O’Gara, made it 25-3. It followed some messy play before O’Driscoll ran down the touchline for a perfect off-load.

It was O’Driscoll again who floated a perfect wide pass out to impressive fullback Lee Byrne who ran 50 metres for O’Gara to again convert from wide out (32-3).

The Sharks, trying to run from their own line, paid the price well after the hooter when Heaslip scored near the posts for O’Gara to add another two points (39-3).

Scorers: Sharks: Penalty: Rory Kockott British Lions: Tries: Lee Mears, Mike Phillips, Luke Fitzgerald, Lee Byrne, Jamie Heaslip. Conversions: Ronan O’Gara (4).

Penalties: O’Gara (2) — Sapa