Lions back on track

Wales team mates Gethin Jenkins and Gareth Thomas scored the Lions' two tries while fly half Jonny Wilkinson added 13 points with the boot.

Wellington fly half Jimmy Gopperth converted two penalties for the home side, who battled but made far too many errors with the scraps of ball they managed to gain to really challenge the Lions in windy conditions on a greasy surface.

The Lions forwards were a vastly improved unit from that who were out muscled by the New Zealand Maori on Saturday, being much more competitive and aggressive at the breakdown and in the tackle and produced a more stable set piece for the test-strength back line.

Prop Jenkins and number eight Martin Corry, who were outstanding in the loose and at the tackle, probably confirmed their test places in Christchurch on June 25.

Wilkinson, making his first appearance on tour and just second international start since November 2003, however was not his usual self with his goal kicking, missing two of his five penalty attempts and an early drop goal.

However, he probably did enough to convince coach Clive Woodward he should be in the 22-man squad for the first test against the All Blacks and a late switch to inside centre with Stephen Jones coming on at fly half could have been a pointer to Woodward's thinking.

The Lions dominated territory and possession in the first half but were often unable to capitalise on their advantage.

Wilkinson, who missed a drop-goal attempt in the opening 30 seconds, put the visitors in front when an early tackle on Corry gave him the opportunity to slot a long-range penalty after eight minutes.

The Lions continued to dominate in the forwards but handling errors and wrong options cost them the chance to increase their lead until the 24th minute when Wilkinson added a second penalty.

Wellington immediately replied in their first real attacking opportunity when Neil Back, who enjoyed a good first outing on tour, was penalised was penalised and Gopperth landed the three pointer.

Lock Ben Kay blew a certain try when he knocked on over the line while stopping to pick up the ball from Corry in the 31st minute, but the pressure finally paid off when Jenkins scored five minutes later.

The rampaging prop took the final pass from Corry after scrumhalf Dwayne Peel had thrown a great dummy to break clear from a lineout.

Wilkinson converted to make it 13-3 but Gopperth added three more points to make it 16-6 at the break - the first time the Lions have led at halftime on tour.

Wilkinson added another penalty four minutes into the second half but the game then went flat for half an hour with both sides making errors in possession and neither looking dangerous.

The Lions ended well though as Jenkins tackled Luke Andrews in midfield to force a turnover. Thomas, playing on the wing by then, kicked ahead and out-sprinted the cover to score his try with four minutes remaining.

Wilkinson added the conversion to give the Lions a solid win and erase some of the painful memories from the weekend.

Sarting XV: Shannon Paku; Lome Fa'atau, Ma'a Nonu, Tane Tu'ipulotu, Roy Kinikinilau; Jimmy Gopperth, Piri Weepu; Joe McDonnell (captain), Mahonri Schwalger, Tim Fairbrother; Luke Andrews, Ross Filipo, Kristian Ormsby, Ben Herring, Thomas Waldrom... Replacements: Luke Mahoney, John Schwalger, Kane Thompson, Justin Purdie, Riki Flutey, Tamati Ellison, Cory Jane

Starting XV: Josh Lewsey; Jason Robinson, Brian O'Driscoll (captain), Gavin Henson, Gareth Thomas; Jonny Wilkinson, Dwayne Peel; Gethin Jenkins, Shane Byrne, Julian White; Danny Grewcock, Ben Kay; Simon Easterby, Neil Back, Martin Corry... Replacements: Gordon Bulloch, Matt Stevens, Paul O'Connell, Richard Hill, Chris Cusiter, Simon Jones, Shane Horgan

Referee: Paul Honiss (New Zealand)