Lions edge out Cheetahs

The British and Irish Lions survived a major scare at Vodacom Park before preserving their 100% South Africa tour record with a 26-24 win over the Cheetahs.

Tries by flanker Stephen Ferris and centre Keith Earls helped open up a 17-0 lead but, when Ferris was sin-binned, the Cheetahs hit back with converted touchdowns from Danwel Demas and Wian du Preez.

Cheetahs centre Corne Uys added an 80-metre interception try with eight minutes left, but the Lions held on. Wales fly-half James Hook booted four penalties and two conversions - an immaculate return which kept Cheetahs at bay.

The tourists made a lively start and Hook hoisted them ahead with a 40-metre penalty after seven minutes. Hook's opposite number, Jacque Potgieter, then missed a long-range penalty chance and the Lions responded by catching the home defence asleep.

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.

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.

Ferris then blotted his copybook by receiving the Lions' first yellow card on tour, leaving the Lions with seven forwards and under mounting pressure, even though a second Hook penalty had extended their advantage to 20-0.

But their opponents made their temporary one-man advantage count after good work by the pack helped create an overlap for Demas. Potgieter converted. It was only a temporary reprieve, though, and workaholic du Preez stormed over for a try Potgieter improved.

Ferris' caution had proved costly - 14 points conceded while he was absent - and the Lions needed to tighten up considerably as half-time approached. Hook's third successful penalty gave them an element of breathing space, yet the Lions knew they were in a real contest at just 23-14 ahead.

Potgieter cut the gap to six points with a 45-metre penalty after Leigh Halfpenny was penalised for an illegal challenge, but Hook landed a sixth successful kick - his fourth penalty - for a 26-17 advantage after 50 minutes. Uys added his 80-metre interception try with eight minutes left - that substitute Louis Strydom converted, but it was too late as the Lions held on.