The boot of fullback Israel Dagg was instrumental as the Highlanders beat a self-destructing Lions 39-29 in their Super 14 rugby match in Dunedin tonight.
The Lions slumped to a seventh successive defeat and could once again blame poor tackling, along with ill-discipline which saw Australian referee Stu Dickinson whistle them off the park.
Centre Walter Venter was sinbinned in the 62nd minute when Dickinson's patience ran out and the Highlanders were awarded a penalty try soon afterwards when the visitors pulled down a rolling maul just short of the line.
However, the hosts will be disappointed with their tryscoring haul, leaving them without a bonus point against opponents who have leaked points on a grand scale this season. Dagg proved to be their points accumulator, landing four of his penalties in a seven-minute spell either side of halftime as his team hit the front and pulled eight points clear.
Victory was all-but guaranteed when centre Kenny Lynn scored their second try in the 56th minute after Lions winger Tonderai Chavhanga failed to force a bouncing ball in his dead ball area, followed soon after by the penalty try.
Lock Hayden Triggs score their only first-half try, on the half hour, a brilliant team effort off a Lynn break that was the highlight of a niggly game between two struggling sides which only burst into life sporadically.
The Highlanders made an atrocious start that saw the Lions cross for three tries inside the first 22 minutes - to fullback Michael Killian, flanker Cobus Grobelaar and winger Wigan Pekeur and all based around rolling mauls - to lead 17-6.
The lead would have been greater but first five-eighth Carlos Spencer lacked Dagg's radar, slotting just one from four attempts at goal.
They weren't to score again until late tries to reserve halfback JP Joubert and Pekeur's second in the final 10 minutes when the result was beyond them.
Between times, the Highlanders dominated on the back of superior set piece work and improved backline fluency and ball control.
The Lions, who have been on the road for a month, began to fall off tackles and it became apparent by halftime that their record of having never won away to the Highlanders would continue.
They will enjoy a bye round next weekend while the Highlanders face the Chiefs at Mt Maunganui.
