Lions find some answers with solid 23-6 win

The British and Irish Lions rebounded from their depressing defeat by New Zealand Maori with a solid 23-6 victory over Wellington yesterday.

Wales team-mates Gethin Jenkins and Gareth Thomas scored the Lions' two tries while flyhalf Jonny Wilkinson added 13 points with the boot as a dominant first-half display petered out into a low-key second half.

Flyhalf Jimmy Gopperth scored two first-half penalties for Wellington, who never looked likely to score a try in difficult windy conditions on a greasy surface.

The Lions forwards were vastly improved from those outmuscled by the New Zealand Maori on Saturday, being much more competitive and aggressive at the breakdown and in the tackle and produced a more stable set piece for the test-strength backline.

Prop Jenkins and number eight Martin Corry, who were outstanding in the loose and at the tackle, probably confirmed their test places in Christchurch on June 25, while hooker Shane Byrne and returning flanker Neil Back also made a strong case for inclusion.