Croft Original (From Basingstoke Gazette)

Tom is first Lions forward to score two tries v SA

1:00pm Monday 22nd June 2009 in Rugby By John Boyman

NORTH Hampshire rugby star Tom Croft wrote his name into the record books by scoring two tries for the British and Irish Lions against South Africa.

Croft, who was born in Basingstoke and grew up in Kingsclere, justified his surprise call-up to the test XV with a try in either half – but it was all to no avail as the Lions lost 26-21 to the Springboks in Durban on Saturday.

The tourists suffered a poor first half, going into half-time 19-7 down, and South Africa extended their lead to 26-7 early in the second period. Flanker Croft’s second try of the match 12 minutes from time galvanised the Lions, who moved to within five points of their hosts with five minutes to go, but the Springboks held on to claim victory.

Croft became just the second Lion to score two tries in one test against South Africa, following in the footsteps of legendary Welsh wing JJ Williams, but says he would have swapped personal glory for a win.

“I would have given up the tries for a victory,” the 23-year-old said. “Our ill discipline gave them the start they wanted, but we really took the game to them after that. We still had a lot left in the tank in the second half.

“It could have been such a different story. In the second half we really put them up against the wall.”

After initially being left out of the touring party, Croft won a place in the side with some impressive performances early in the tour and was joined in the team by winger Ugo Monye, a former pupil at Lord Wandsworth College, who scored four tries in the warm-up matches.

The Lions began badly, Croft failing to stop Springboks captain John Smit powering over for the opening try, while Monye was adjudged not to have grounded the ball when put in by Brian O’Driscoll.

Two more penalties, one conceded by Croft, put the home side 13-0 up before the Leicester flanker made amends, stretching to touch down after being released by O’Driscoll.

The Lions then had a try ruled out for crossing but it was South Africa who struck next, extending their lead to 19-7 with two more penalties.

The second half also began badly, Heinrich Brussow’s try putting the hosts 26-7 up, but the Lions improved dramatically after this, though they were unable to add any points until 12 minutes from time, when Croft got his second try following more good work by O’Driscoll.

Monye nearly closed the gap further, having the ball knocked out of his hands when about to touch down, and while scrum-half Mike Phillips did make it 26-21, the Lions were unable to claim a last-gasp win.

The second test will take place in Pretoria next week and Croft believes the Lions can win.

“Come next week we will be better and we’ll be able to take them,” he said. “It is just the small things we need to fix.

“My tries came from our outstanding backs play and Brian O’Driscoll put me in twice. We have world class backs and we need more ball in Pretoria.”