Lions rally late to end on a high

The British Amateur Rugby Association Young Lions wound up their tour of Australia on a winning note when they came from 16-6 down to claim a 26-16 victory over the New South Wales Combined High Schools at Cabramatta.

The tourists' only points of the first half came from Hensingham centre Craig McAvoy, who converted his own try in the 29th minute, but they emerged for the second half with a renewed vigour and determination.

Tries from centre Richard Varkulis, of Leigh Miners Rangers, and winger Craig Calvert, from Wath Brow Hornets, brought the scores level and the Lions then seized control and secured victory with further tries from substitute Mark Troughton (Wath Brow) and full-back Greg Rowley (Maryport).

The Young Lions lost only one of their seven matches and international youth director Joe Elliott said: "The standard of youth rugby has greatly improved over the past few years and the future augurs well with such talented youth players in the game."

In the National Rugby League in Australia, Canterbury Bulldogs wrapped up second place after a controversial 16-14 win against Cronulla Sharks at the Sydney Showground.

The Sharks were leading 14-8 with 15 minutes remaining, when the video referee John Gocher was called in to see if a pass had gone into touch in the build-up to Willie Talau's try. Replays showed that a small part of the ball touched the line but Gocher's decision went against the Sharks and the try was awarded.

Moments later, the Sharks were penalised in front of the posts when Jason Stevens appeared to use the elbow on Craig Polla-Mounter. Referee Paul Simpkins placed Stevens on report and awarded the penalty to the Bulldogs. El Masri had no trouble in kicking the goaland the home side held on for the remaining nine minutes.