Rugby Union: Catt call as Bentley rolls

John Bentley staked his claim for a Lions Test place with two tries against the winger who blotted out unstoppable All Black Jonah Lomu in the World Cup final two years ago.

The Newcastle powerhouse, on loan for the tour from league side Halifax Blue Sox, was expected to figure only with the midweek 'dirt trackers'.

But after picking up the man-of-the-match award in Wednesday's muddy slog against Border, Bentley got the beating of fiery Springbok James Small.

The former England wing was selected ahead of Tony Underwood with the primary aim of bottling Small up. He did it so well that Small only scorched round him once and was then forced to kick so deep that Jeremy Guscott got back to cover.

Clearly frustrated at his failure to break through, Small belted Bentley on the touchline in a punch-up that was soon halted.

In all, the Lions scored four tries to Western Province's three in a sparkling match which at last revealed the tourists' true potential.

But skipper Martin Johnson, leading the team for the first time, conceded afterwards: "That was as tough as any Five Nations match. We knew we had to play very well to pull through."

Johnson was especially pleased with the kicking success of full back Tim Stimpson.

Stimpson opened up a whole range of Test options by knocking over 18 points and missing only one kick.

Bentley's Newcastle team-mate rarely gets a chance in club games with Rob Andrew still at his masterful best with the boot.

But the Lions badly need to play both of their key attackers - Stimpson and Gregor Townsend - in the Test side and kicking guru Dave Alred has been put to work on both of them.

Stimpson rewarded the investment perfectly with four penalties and three conversions to kill off a dangerous Western Province outfit, earning a tribute from coach Ian McGeechan.

He said: "Tim converted good rugby into points. Our players are having to learn a different game out here and are doing it."

This was a vastly improved all-round display with only the set scrummages causing problems, even though the Lions pack contained seven England Triple Crown winners. Some of the handling was quite superb, with scrum-half Rob Howley spinning out a stream of long passes and Townsend showing signs of a welcome return to form.

The Lions roared to 13-0 in just 16 minutes before Western Province rallied to take a 21-18 lead only to see the Lions sweep them aside in the closing minutes.

Stimpson began his super day with a simple third minute penalty and was quickly lining up another kick, this time to convert Bentley's 13th minute try at the end of a dazzling handling move launched from a huge rolling maul.

Stimpson converted that score and then made it 13-0 in the 16th minute with a second penalty. But the South Africans hit back quickly.

Tim Rodber was swamped as he came off the back of a scrum and home captain Dick Muir was set up for the first of his two tries.

Fly-half Percy Montgomery added the conversion and the Lions had to live on their nerves after Guscott and Stimpson wasted overlap chances.

Scotland centre Alan Tait did stretch the lead to 18-7 after Lawrence Dallaglio and Bentley set him free.

But the Lions saw their lead steadily disintegrate as the home side stormed back into the game.

Muir dived in for his second try amid confusion in the Lions' defence and Montgomery converted to bring his side up to 14-18 at half time.

The outside half missed a simple penalty chance, but the outstanding Robbie Brink broke through to give his side the lead for the only time nine minutes into the second half.

Stimpson levelled the scores with a 51st minute penalty and stroked another in the 65th minute.

The Lions were clearly in no mood to throw it all away and recaptured some of their dazzling early form.

A brilliant 69th minute run from the impressive Howley ripped open Western Province's defence and his huge pass gave Ieuan Evans the room to dive in at the corner.

Will Greenwood replaced Tait for the last eight minutes and in that brief time helped set up the final try for Bentley.

Stimpson knocked over the conversion almost from the touchline and the Lions went off with the show now well and truly on the road.

Home skipper Muir predicted: "The Lions are going to get better and better. I was impressed by their handling and Townsend stood out."

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