Carney Carve Up Sinks Kiwis

The Great Britain Lions have gone to the top of the Tri-Nations table with a 26-24 victory over the New Zealand Kiwis at Hull's Kingston Communications Stadium today.

With Irishman Brian Carney carving up the defence out wide, the Lions overcame a 12-4 half time deficit to end what has been a disappointing series for New Zealand.

The Kiwis who were already out of Tri-Nations contention, put together a promising first half effort which included a moral boosting try from Nigel Vagana just before the break. But the Lions came out firing in the second half with four back-to-back tries and with 20 minutes to go, appeared to hold a winning 26-12 lead.

The Kiwis however were able restore some pride, scoring two tries to narrow the margin to just two points. New Zealand fullback Brent Webb ruing a missed opportunity in the first half when he missed a penalty goal attempt from right in front.

The victory is the third in-a-row for Great Britain, setting up a tremendous Tri-Nations final to be played against Australia at Elland Road in Leeds next weekend.

Great Britain Lions 26 Tries: B Carney 2, K Senior, A Farrell, P Johnson Goals: A Farrell 3/5 defeated New Zealand Kiwis 24 Tries: V Anderson. N Vagana, A Chan, S Hape Goals: B Webb 4/5

TRI-NATIONS RUGBY LEAGUE, Game 6 Sun 21 November 2004 Kingston Communications Stadium Hull Referee: Tim Mander (Aus)

TEAMS: NEW ZEALAND: B Webb, F Meli, N Vagana, C Toopi, S Hape, V Anderson, T Leuluai, J Cayless, D Halatau, P Rauhihi (c), L Swann, A Lauiti'iti, L Anderson. Interchange: R Paul, R Asotasi, N Cayless, W Koopu.

GREAT BRITAIN: P Wellens, B Carney, S Reardon, P Johnson, M Gleeson, K Senior, C Walker, D McGuire, S Long, I Harris, M Higham, M Diskin, A Farrell (c), A Morley, S Fielden, D Ward, G Ellis, S Wild, S O'Loughlin.

By the clock:

16 min: NEWS - hooker Matt Diskin (GB) injured and carried off with ligament injury. Replaced by Micky Higham

18 min: TRY - NZ. Vinnie Anderson scores under posts. Conversion Brent Webb. NZ 6-0

28 min: TRY - GB. Keith Senior scores out wide. Conversion Andy Farrell unsuccessful. NZ 6-4

38 min: MISSED GOAL - NZ. Brent Webb misses penalty goal attempt from right in front. NZ 6-4

39 min: TRY - NZ. Nigel Vagana scores next to posts. Conversion Brent Webb. NZ 12-4

HALF TIME: NZ 12-4

44 min: TRY - GB. Brian Carney scores in the corner after making huge run in earlier ruck. Conversion Andy Farrell NZ 12-10

51 min: TRY - GB. Andy Farrell scores 10m from uprights. Conversion Andy Farrell. GB 16-12

56 min: TRY - GB. Brian Carney scores in the corner to get a double. Conversion Andy Farrell unsuccessful. GB 20-12

58 min: TRY - GB. Paul Johnson scores 10m from uprights. Conversion Andy Farrell. GB 26-12

66 min: TRY - NZ. Alex Chan stretches out and scores under posts Conversion Brent Webb. GB 26-18

77 min: TRY - NZ. Shontayne Hape scores out wide. Conversion Brent Webb. GB 26-24

FULL TIME: GB 26-24