The British and Irish Lions have won their second game on the trot with a 34-6 win over the Chiefs in Hamilton this evening.
Lions player Jared Payne makes a break with the ball, scoring the team's fourth try of the match. Photo: Photosport NZ
After beating the Māori All Blacks in Rotorua on Saturday, the Lions' second team were too strong for the spirited Chiefs who struggled to get going on attack.
The visitors were the first to get the scoreboard ticking over in the ninth minute of the match when Dan Biggar slotted a penalty from just 5m out right in front of the posts.
In the 12th minute the Lions' loosehead prop Joe Marler was sent to the bin for 10 minutes after he put a late shoulder charge on Nepo Laulala.
French referee Jerome Garces ruled Marler had made late contact with Laulala's upper body without making any attempt to wrap his arms.
Lions prop Joe Marler in the sin bin. Photo: Photosport NZ
Chiefs winger Tony Pulu was meanwhile stretchered off the field after he came down awkwardly in a tackle during the same play.
The Lions scrum was once again at its dominant best early in the first half, winning two penalties at the set piece within the first 20 minutes.
The Chiefs' ill discipline cost them another three points with Dan Biggar again slotting a penalty from right out in front in the 18th minute.
It wasn't long after before the Lions were penalised down in front of their own posts after a poor restart, and Chiefs captain Stephen Donald capitalised by getting the hosts on the scoreboard with three points.
After a set of quick phases in the Chiefs half, the Lions scored the first try of the match in the 25th minute when winger Jack Nowell found a gap at the back of the ruck right on the tryline.
On the stroke of half time the Chiefs struck back, again through the boot of Stephen Donald who kicked a three pointer from right in front after the Lions gave away a soft penalty while the Chiefs were hot on attack.
At half-time the Lions went to the sheds with a 13-6 lead thanks to a dominant display from their forwards, while the Chiefs struggled for possession and territory.
As the sound of mooloo bells rang through the stadium, the Chiefs tried to give their fans something to cheer for early in the second half with a break from within their own half. They once again failed to keep possession, however.
The hosts then gave away three consecutive penalties in their own half that resulted in a penalty try to the Lions and a yellow card to blindside flanker Mitch Brown, who repeatedly pulled down the Lions' driving maul.
Just five minutes later, Lions winger Jack Nowell scored his second try of the night when the Lions ran an impressive play out wide from their own 22.
Lions player Jack Nowell celebrates scoring their third try as Chiefs players gather themselves. Photo: Photosport NZ
The try came off the back of a blunder from the Chiefs during an attacking lineout which was symptomatic of the hosts' night.
Former Chiefs centre Jared Payne then added more misery to the home side when he scored a try during broken play within the Chiefs' 22, making the score 34-6 with just 15 minutes left on the clock.
As the players began to tire during the final moments of the match mistakes began to creep in from both sides, but it didn't matter to the score with the Lions comfortably in front.
What made the Lions' win all the more impressive was the match-day 15 remained on the field for the entirety of the match, despite a yellow card to Joe Marler and concussion check for lock Courtney Lawes.
Not a side to die trying, the Chiefs continued to try break the Lions defence in the final five minutes but again, to no avail.
