Late Hook penalty wins it for Lions

Wales back Hook struck four minutes from time, rifling over a 50-metre strike that thwarted the home side's superb fightback.

The Lions looked in control at 18-9 ahead after tries from man-of-the-match Tommy Bowe and his fellow wing Ugo Monye. But Western Province kept plugging away as full-back Joe Pietersen's try set up a tense finish.

Pietersen had earlier dropped a goal, as did fly-half Willem de Waal, who also kicked four penalties, yet the Lions did just enough to make it five wins from five a week before the first Test against world champions South Africa.

Flanker Martyn Williams also added a try, while two Stephen Jones penalties and a conversion also contributed towards the victory.

The Lions had expected Western Province to be their toughest opponents so far, and so it proved.

The highlights were another sparkling display by the irrepressible Bowe, while Monye surely did enough to keep world player of the year Shane Williams out of first Test contention.

Martyn Williams and number eight Andy Powell also had their moments, but an ineffective display by prop Andrew Sheridan has probably seen him lose ground.

The Lions had to contend with comfortably the worst weather conditions of their 10-match trip, with a blustery wind and heavy showers blowing in from Table Mountain.

And they were also watched by their biggest crowd on tour - just over 34,000, that included an escalating contingent of travelling fans.