Rugby League: Scully lifts Lion-hearts

GREAT BRITAIN boss David Waite paid tribute to the Lions after their magnificent victory over New Zealand at Wigan last night.

Britain levelled the three-Test series to prove how far they've come since suffering a record 64-10 defeat by Australia in July.

Inspirational Paul Sculthorpe, (left) whose late try sealed the win, said: "We were all embarrassed by the Sydney result but have improved over the last three games. We are bonding like a club side and our confidence is tremendous.

"We stuck to our game plan, and although we didn't take all our chances we knew points would come."

Coach Waite said: "The boys proved they can play football and it was desperate we achieved something in this series. We did have a blip in the summer but showed here how well we can play. I was very impressed with our style. We defended outstandingly well.

"We obviously wanted more points on the board at half-time and it's always a concern when the opposition score near the end.

"We could only relax when Stuart Fielden intercepted on the last play of the match."

Skipper Andy Farrell said: "We proved we are equal second in the world alongside New Zealand after this series.

"We can now move on after this win and we are pleased to have proved a few of the critics wrong."

Bradford hooker Jimmy Lowes - who was drafted in to replace Kieron Cunningham for the second test - said: "Its been a fairytale last few weeks.

"It was a very exciting game and a great advert for rugby league.

"The Kiwis never gave up and we had to work very hard for this victory." Kiwi coach Gary Freeman said: "Our players are down because we had the opportunities but dropped crucial balls.

"We fought back well despite the penalty count being against us for the third game in a row.

"Richard Swain was outstanding and Stacey Jones was a worthy man of the series."

Swain, whose men won the first Test in the Dont Drink Drive series before the second was drawn last week, admitted his side had come up against a superior side last night.

"We came across a better team today," said Swain. "They came out with a lot of passion. They were just too good for us today.

"We won't make any excuses. They were the better team in this last game. We couldn't get any ball but we're not going to complain."

Copyright 2002 MGN LTD
Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights Reserved.