Lions' team effort lauded

LIONS MANAGER Frank Cotton described the Lions display as "one of the all time great performances given by a Lions side. Bearing in mind the circumstances in which this match was played, three days after a Test, played at altitude and played in midweek against one of the strongest provincial sides in South Africa, the Lions' performance was magnificent." He would get many to agree with that assessment.

For centre Will Greenwood, however, the tour is over. He was taken to hospital and detained overnight for observation after being concussed. Greenwood was concussed in a tackle by Free State number eight Jaco Coetzee just before the interval.

"He will not take any further part in the tour," said Cotton. "As yet, we have not decided whether to send for a replacement." If they do, Ireland international Robert Henderson will be a candidate.

Nigel Redman, who captained the Lions said: "I was very proud to lead that team. We are a squad of 35 and now those of us not involved in the Tests must give every possible support to those who are. There were some excellent individual performances, but above all, it was team effort."

Lions assistant coach Jim Telfer said: "We played very well, but got some scores rather easily in the first half and I told the players that at half-time. But we played really well in the second half and I thought the scores we got were the product of hard work."