Thanks to Banks and the big men

First five-eighth Marty Banks watches his winning penalty go over as team-mate Gareth Evans looks on during the Highlanders’ 23-22 victory over the British and Irish Lions at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin last night. Photos: Peter McIntosh
First five-eighth Marty Banks watches his winning penalty go over as team-mate Gareth Evans looks on during the Highlanders’ 23-22 victory over the British and Irish Lions at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin last night. Photos: Peter McIntosh
Highlanders winger Waisake Naholo dots down for a try watched by team-mates Daniel Lienert-Brown (left) and Kayne Hammington.
Highlanders winger Waisake Naholo dots down for a try watched by team-mates Daniel Lienert-Brown (left) and Kayne Hammington.
Highlanders players celebrate a famous victory.
Highlanders players celebrate a famous victory.
Tevita Li flies over the top of Highlanders team-mate Malakai Fekitoa and Lions winger Jack Nowell comes up in defence.
Tevita Li flies over the top of Highlanders team-mate Malakai Fekitoa and Lions winger Jack Nowell comes up in defence.

You little ripper.

The Highlanders scored a mighty 23-22 win over the British and Irish Lions at Forsyth Barr Stadium last night.

Now, we can talk about the rock stars in the backline or the speedy loose forwards, but it was the main men, the engine room, who put on the key play which won the game.

With eight minutes to go and the game on a knife edge, the Highlanders scrum just bent its back and powered through the Lions front eight, winning a penalty.

The crowd rose in joy and up stepped that cool customer - one Martin Banks.

Money Banks, as he is called, looked as relaxed as that old horse out the back yard. He calmly slotted the penalty and put his side in front.

It was the least the side deserved - it was 80 minutes of real guts and one that everyone in the region should be proud of.

Halfway through the second half, the Highlanders trailed 22-13, but the side stayed composed and just went back to what it does best - backing itself and its skills.

Perpetual motion hooker Liam Coltman got the side back into the game with a try from a lineout drive and Banks slotted the conversion to get the Highlanders back to within two points.

The side then hung in there as the rather one-dimensional Lions tried to get back into the game but they could not shake off the pesky opponent.

The Lions had a chance to win it at the end, but the optimistic penalty attempt from 57m by Elliot Daly fell a metre short.

That summed up the Lions - just lacking that extra 1% in many places.

The Lions are big, strong and take no prisoners. They do not just camp on the offside line - they flaunt it, tease it and break it far too often.

The home town forwards ran the ball up hard and never buckled in the set piece. In fact, at times the Highlanders scrum was in the ascendancy.

Then the men out the back ran hard, straight and looked the more dangerous.

Winger Waisake Naholo was a man on a mission. He was a constant threat throughout the game and every time he got the ball the excitement levels were raised.

Inside him, Tei Walden, who had barely been sighted all season, was composed in his touches.

Lima Sopoaga is clearly rusty but will be better for the run.

Up front it would be hard to single anyone out, but Coltman was immense and Gareth Evans continued his rich run of form.

The home team made a good start and nearly scored in the opening five minutes, with Naholo just short after picking up a nice grubber kick from Sopoaga.

It swung the ball back, but the Lions had regrouped and all the Highlanders could get was a penalty.

Sopoaga nailed the easy one in front and the Highlanders took the lead.

The visitors came back and on the 15 minute mark gained a penalty and Dan Biggar knocked it over.

The Highlanders, though, were showing their usual tenacity and won a couple of turnovers.

Flanker Gareth Evans took a quick tap and then a minute later went down the sideline and the Highlanders plunged forward.

The ball went to the backs and Naholo snaked his way over the line.

But the Lions came straight back and scored through centre Jonathan Joseph. Biggar added the extras to tie the game up 10-10.

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