W PROVINCE 23, GB & I LIONS 26

IAN McGEECHAN called on his players to give him selection headaches ahead of the first Test.

But, with six days to go, the Lions head coach will have a migraine for all the wrong reasons after watching this stuttering display.

For the third Saturday running, the tourists froze when they should have started cooking. For the third Saturday running, a determined but depleted opposition took McGeechan's men to the wire and almost choked them.

McGeechan's head will have been pounding when he wakes up this morning - and not because he has sunk too many Castle lagers.

Still, there were some positives to be taken from the Newlands clash. The spirit in this squad is better than any since the Lions last toured South Africa 12 years ago on Geech's watch.

Replacement full-back James Hook displayed the battling qualities that will be required in Durban next Saturday by slotting a 48-metre penalty to break a 23-23 stalemate with three minutes left.

And in Ugo Monye, Tommy Bowe and Rob Kearney the Lions have a lightning-quick back three who possess raw power and a near-telepathic understanding.

OVER UGO - Lions winger Ugo Monye goes over for his try

Irishman Bowe was sublime yesterday. The winger showed a killer instinct to finish off a sweeping first-half move, and then sliced through the Province defence on 34 minutes before popping a brilliant pass to Monye to score.

Bowe, 25, said: "Being here is a dream come true. The key to me getting into the Test team is to keep playing with a smile on my face - and I'm doing that."

GIVE US A HAND - Ugo Monye celebrates his try

Kearney was equally impressive as he tackled like a man possessed and caught every high ball fired at him with consummate ease.

His kicking from hand was clinical and he linked superbly with Monye, who has grown in stature as the tour has progressed. Kearney hobbled off midway through the second half yesterday but should be fit for Saturday.

Now for the negatives. And there were plenty of them. The Lions keep getting themselves into commanding positions only to gift their opponents points, allowing them to claw their way back into contention. Yesterday they led 18-9 before the break but failed to turn the screw when required.

McGeechan, 62, said: "We're putting out different teams each week. We've got players working together who haven't done so before and you can't under-estimate the conditions. We tried to play too much rugby in our half and needed to be more patient. I have no more hairs to turn grey!"

POWELL'S THAT - Andy Powell on the rampage at Newlands

Exactly the same thing happened last week against the Free State Cheetahs and seven days before against the Royal XV. Each time the Lions have escaped with the narrowest of wins but if they do the same against the Springboks there will only be one result . . . they will be crucified.

McGeechan added: "Today has given us some tough selection decisions to make in key positions."

You can say that again. McGeechan still does not have a clue who will partner captain Paul O'Connell in the second row.Nathan Hines and Simon Shaw have failed to produce the sort of bullish displays McGeechan has demanded of his troops.

He could now be forced to pair O'Connell, who is not playing well himself, with the relatively lightweight Alun-Wyn Jones or Donncha O'Callaghan. Boks duo Bakkies Botha and Victor Matfield will be licking their lips at that prospect.

Again the Lions' work at the breakdown was sloppy at a rain-swept Newlands. Wales openside Martyn Williams at least brought some technical know-how to the work on the floor and took his second-half try well but, again, the tourists failed to convince.

The scrum was even more alarming. Up until yesterday the set-piece had been a banker for the men in red but Phil Vickery was clearly targeted by the Province pack. And England's veteran prop, 33, struggled for answers against his opposite number Wicus Blauuw.

Foundations

Scotland tighthead Euan Murray replaced Vickery on 57 minutes and shored up the creaking Lions eight. But Stephen Ferris' knee injury has clearly hit the Lions hard.

Joe Worsley was as industrious as ever but the Wasps star does not offer the ball-carrying threat of the athletic Irishman. Tom Croft looks certain to start at blindside next week but his lack of bulk will not have the Boks worried.

Wales No 8 Andy Powell enjoyed comfortably his best game of the tour yesterday and may well have forced his way on to the bench. His second-half hit on Gio Aplon rocked the old stadium to its foundations and he was instrumental in Bowe's try.

But nothing could mask another rollercoaster Lions display. Tuesday's game against the Southern Kings could yet decide the make-up of the Test side.

SCORERS - Western Province: try Pietersen; pens De Waal 4; drop goals De Waal, Pietersen. Lions: tries Bowe, Monye, M Williams; con Jones; pens Jones 2, Hook.

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