Lions suffer injury blow in 54-7 win over Western Force
Henry Pollock showcased his star potential but two-try scrumhalf Tomos Williams was cut down by a hamstring injury as the British and Irish Lions posted a crushing 54-7 win over the Western Force in Perth.
The Lions ran in eight tries to one in front of 46,656 fans at Optus Stadium on Saturday night to post the big win, but it came at a cost.
Williams, a veteran of 65 Test caps with Wales, pinged his left hamstring while acrobatically diving in at the corner for his second try in the 47th minute.
The 30-year-old looked despondent as he hobbled slowly off the field, with the Lions leading 26-7 at the time.
The second half became a romp as the Lions flexed their muscles in a five-try blitz, but it was tough work in the first half as the Force came out firing.
Wallabies winger Dylan Pietsch was near unstoppable in the first 40 minutes, unleashing a series of dazzling line breaks to push his case for selection for the upcoming three-Test series.
The Force dominated possession (60 per cent) and territory (67 per cent) in the first half, but it was the industrious work of Pollock that ensured the Lions still managed to take a 21-7 lead into half-time.
Pollock, who at just 20 years of age is already being touted as a future superstar, produced a series of tackle-breaking runs, one of which set up Williams for his first try.
"I'm happy with the scoreline, obviously, and happy with how we actually got to that point, because it wasn't all going our own way," Lions coach Andy Farrell said.
"I thought we gathered ourselves well and sorted a few things out on the run and played some nice rugby in the end.
"There was plenty to work on from the Argentina game, and just because there were some nice tries that have been scored tonight, there's still plenty (to improve)."
Farrell had labelled his team's 28-24 loss to Argentina in Dublin last week as unacceptable. It took just 96 seconds for his players to show a strong response - and it was a thing of beauty.
The magical piece of play started and finished with skipper Dan Sheehan, who jumped in the air to catch a cross kick before passing it off to teammate James Lowe before he even landed on the ground.
Sheehan stayed in the play and received it back from Lowe to cross over for the opener.
The Force hit back through Nic White courtesy of 19 phases of grit, and after 15 minutes, it was the home side dominating possession (72 per cent) and territory (74 per cent).
The Lions did well to keep the Force at bay, and they went up 14-7 in the 17th minute when Pollock made a break and then offloaded while on the ground to set up Williams for a try.
Pietsch's first-half efforts had the Lions on the back foot, but it was the tourists who landed another strike against the run of play when a quick tap from flyhalf Finn Russell caught the Force napping.
The ensuing try by fullback Elliot Daly gave the Lions a 21-7 lead in the 36th minute, but they were dealt a blow just seconds before half-time when Pollock was handed a yellow card for his team's accumulation of penalties.
Despite the numerical disadvantage, the Lions swung the ball the length of the field for Williams to touch down seven minutes into the second half.
The Lions piled on another four tries to ensure their tour of Australia got off to a comprehensive winning start.
The Lions will be back in action on Wednesday night when they take on the Queensland Reds at Suncorp Stadium.
Henry Pollock showcased his star potential but two-try scrumhalf Tomos Williams was cut down by a hamstring injury as the British and Irish Lions posted a crushing 54-7 win over the Western Force in Perth.
The Lions ran in eight tries to one in front of 46,656 fans at Optus Stadium on Saturday night to post the big win, but it came at a cost.
Williams, a veteran of 65 Test caps with Wales, pinged his left hamstring while acrobatically diving in at the corner for his second try in the 47th minute.
The 30-year-old looked despondent as he hobbled slowly off the field, with the Lions leading 26-7 at the time.
The second half became a romp as the Lions flexed their muscles in a five-try blitz, but it was tough work in the first half as the Force came out firing.
Wallabies winger Dylan Pietsch was near unstoppable in the first 40 minutes, unleashing a series of dazzling line breaks to push his case for selection for the upcoming three-Test series.
The Force dominated possession (60 per cent) and territory (67 per cent) in the first half, but it was the industrious work of Pollock that ensured the Lions still managed to take a 21-7 lead into half-time.
Pollock, who at just 20 years of age is already being touted as a future superstar, produced a series of tackle-breaking runs, one of which set up Williams for his first try.
"I'm happy with the scoreline, obviously, and happy with how we actually got to that point, because it wasn't all going our own way," Lions coach Andy Farrell said.
"I thought we gathered ourselves well and sorted a few things out on the run and played some nice rugby in the end.
"There was plenty to work on from the Argentina game, and just because there were some nice tries that have been scored tonight, there's still plenty (to improve)."
Farrell had labelled his team's 28-24 loss to Argentina in Dublin last week as unacceptable. It took just 96 seconds for his players to show a strong response - and it was a thing of beauty.
The magical piece of play started and finished with skipper Dan Sheehan, who jumped in the air to catch a cross kick before passing it off to teammate James Lowe before he even landed on the ground.
Sheehan stayed in the play and received it back from Lowe to cross over for the opener.
The Force hit back through Nic White courtesy of 19 phases of grit, and after 15 minutes, it was the home side dominating possession (72 per cent) and territory (74 per cent).
The Lions did well to keep the Force at bay, and they went up 14-7 in the 17th minute when Pollock made a break and then offloaded while on the ground to set up Williams for a try.
Pietsch's first-half efforts had the Lions on the back foot, but it was the tourists who landed another strike against the run of play when a quick tap from flyhalf Finn Russell caught the Force napping.
The ensuing try by fullback Elliot Daly gave the Lions a 21-7 lead in the 36th minute, but they were dealt a blow just seconds before half-time when Pollock was handed a yellow card for his team's accumulation of penalties.
Despite the numerical disadvantage, the Lions swung the ball the length of the field for Williams to touch down seven minutes into the second half.
The Lions piled on another four tries to ensure their tour of Australia got off to a comprehensive winning start.
The Lions will be back in action on Wednesday night when they take on the Queensland Reds at Suncorp Stadium.
Henry Pollock showcased his star potential but two-try scrumhalf Tomos Williams was cut down by a hamstring injury as the British and Irish Lions posted a crushing 54-7 win over the Western Force in Perth.
The Lions ran in eight tries to one in front of 46,656 fans at Optus Stadium on Saturday night to post the big win, but it came at a cost.
Williams, a veteran of 65 Test caps with Wales, pinged his left hamstring while acrobatically diving in at the corner for his second try in the 47th minute.
The 30-year-old looked despondent as he hobbled slowly off the field, with the Lions leading 26-7 at the time.
The second half became a romp as the Lions flexed their muscles in a five-try blitz, but it was tough work in the first half as the Force came out firing.
Wallabies winger Dylan Pietsch was near unstoppable in the first 40 minutes, unleashing a series of dazzling line breaks to push his case for selection for the upcoming three-Test series.
The Force dominated possession (60 per cent) and territory (67 per cent) in the first half, but it was the industrious work of Pollock that ensured the Lions still managed to take a 21-7 lead into half-time.
Pollock, who at just 20 years of age is already being touted as a future superstar, produced a series of tackle-breaking runs, one of which set up Williams for his first try.
"I'm happy with the scoreline, obviously, and happy with how we actually got to that point, because it wasn't all going our own way," Lions coach Andy Farrell said.
"I thought we gathered ourselves well and sorted a few things out on the run and played some nice rugby in the end.
"There was plenty to work on from the Argentina game, and just because there were some nice tries that have been scored tonight, there's still plenty (to improve)."
Farrell had labelled his team's 28-24 loss to Argentina in Dublin last week as unacceptable. It took just 96 seconds for his players to show a strong response - and it was a thing of beauty.
The magical piece of play started and finished with skipper Dan Sheehan, who jumped in the air to catch a cross kick before passing it off to teammate James Lowe before he even landed on the ground.
Sheehan stayed in the play and received it back from Lowe to cross over for the opener.
The Force hit back through Nic White courtesy of 19 phases of grit, and after 15 minutes, it was the home side dominating possession (72 per cent) and territory (74 per cent).
The Lions did well to keep the Force at bay, and they went up 14-7 in the 17th minute when Pollock made a break and then offloaded while on the ground to set up Williams for a try.
Pietsch's first-half efforts had the Lions on the back foot, but it was the tourists who landed another strike against the run of play when a quick tap from flyhalf Finn Russell caught the Force napping.
The ensuing try by fullback Elliot Daly gave the Lions a 21-7 lead in the 36th minute, but they were dealt a blow just seconds before half-time when Pollock was handed a yellow card for his team's accumulation of penalties.
Despite the numerical disadvantage, the Lions swung the ball the length of the field for Williams to touch down seven minutes into the second half.
The Lions piled on another four tries to ensure their tour of Australia got off to a comprehensive winning start.
The Lions will be back in action on Wednesday night when they take on the Queensland Reds at Suncorp Stadium.
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The Advertiser
an hour ago
- The Advertiser
Saluting Maya: Joint's jumping again as Wimbledon looms
Teenage sensation Maya Joint has earned an epic, backs-to-the-wall maiden grass-court triumph at the Eastbourne International to give Australia's challenge at Wimbledon the perfect launch pad. The remarkable US-born 19-year-old, who's been making a stratospheric rise in the sport since relocating to Queensland less than two years ago, saved four match points on her way to defeating fellow rising star Alexandra Eala in a pulsating tiebreak finale on Saturday (Sunday AEST). It meant Joint became the first Australian player to win the women's title in the 50-year history of the British seaside event which has become the traditional curtain raiser for the grass-court grand slam which begins on Monday. "It's been an amazing year, an amazing two years," beamed Joint at Devonshire Park, while saluting the Aussie coach Chris Mahony she credits for transforming her career. "Thank you for everything you've done. You're a lifesaver," she told him on court. The astonishing 6-4 1-6 7-6 (12-10) win rocketed Brisbane-based Joint, who only turned 19 in April, to No.41 in the world when she kicks off her maiden Wimbledon with a tough opener against Russian No.19 seed Liudmila Samsonova on Tuesday. "I'm very happy right now, feeling very relieved as well. It was a very difficult match. In that third set, and I'm proud of myself for coming back and staying in the match, even though I'd lost about nine of the last 10 games," said Joint. She had been 5-2 down, and almost out, in the final breaker, having to come up with fabulous defensive scrabbling to stay in contention as Eala came agonisingly close to becoming the Philippines' first ever WTA champion. But the teenage daughter of former Sydney squash professional Michael Joint demonstrated real courage and calm in a terrific showdown which, after a nervy spell from both players as they both homed in on the title, really hit the heights in the youngest final since Tracy Austin and Andrea Jaeger in 1981. For Eala, who's become a young heroine in the Philippines, it was all so crushing after Joint sealed the deal with a backhand cross-court winner that the 20-year-old ended in tears, with the Australian trying to console her that "we will definitely play in more finals". Remarkably, Joint's run to her first WTA title on the clay at the Morocco Open five weeks ago also came on the weekend before a grand slam, and she then got knocked out in the first round by Ajla Tomljanovic. "It's really great preparation. I've got a lot of matches in before Wimbledon, and hopefully I can be in Wimbledon a little bit longer than I was in the French," said Joint. "I think this time's a tiny bit different. I get one more day of rest, and I'll just detach myself a little bit more from the last match, and just focus on the match coming up. "But I'm just really excited to get to London later today, and step into Wimby for the first time." Of Samsonova, a tough customer who's reached the last-16 in three grand slams, Joint shrugged: "I haven't played her before, so I don't know too much about her. "When I get to Wimbledon, I'll just take a walk around, have some strawberries and cream - I love strawberries and cream." The news quickly spread to the youngster's friends and colleagues at Wimbledon 120km north of the seaside town, leaving Daria Kasatkina, who won the tournament last year before she switched her allegiance to Australia, delighted for her Eastbourne hitting partner. "I practised with her before Eastbourne, and she actually had a little struggle playing on grass, and I could see she was a bit, let's say, depressed about the practice," revealed the woman who's Australia's No.1 ahead of Joint. "But you already saw she won a title this year, and she's got great potential. She's also a very nice girl, hard-working girl. I mean, she's got everything - and I'm happy for her to having this success already so early." Teenage sensation Maya Joint has earned an epic, backs-to-the-wall maiden grass-court triumph at the Eastbourne International to give Australia's challenge at Wimbledon the perfect launch pad. The remarkable US-born 19-year-old, who's been making a stratospheric rise in the sport since relocating to Queensland less than two years ago, saved four match points on her way to defeating fellow rising star Alexandra Eala in a pulsating tiebreak finale on Saturday (Sunday AEST). It meant Joint became the first Australian player to win the women's title in the 50-year history of the British seaside event which has become the traditional curtain raiser for the grass-court grand slam which begins on Monday. "It's been an amazing year, an amazing two years," beamed Joint at Devonshire Park, while saluting the Aussie coach Chris Mahony she credits for transforming her career. "Thank you for everything you've done. You're a lifesaver," she told him on court. The astonishing 6-4 1-6 7-6 (12-10) win rocketed Brisbane-based Joint, who only turned 19 in April, to No.41 in the world when she kicks off her maiden Wimbledon with a tough opener against Russian No.19 seed Liudmila Samsonova on Tuesday. "I'm very happy right now, feeling very relieved as well. It was a very difficult match. In that third set, and I'm proud of myself for coming back and staying in the match, even though I'd lost about nine of the last 10 games," said Joint. She had been 5-2 down, and almost out, in the final breaker, having to come up with fabulous defensive scrabbling to stay in contention as Eala came agonisingly close to becoming the Philippines' first ever WTA champion. But the teenage daughter of former Sydney squash professional Michael Joint demonstrated real courage and calm in a terrific showdown which, after a nervy spell from both players as they both homed in on the title, really hit the heights in the youngest final since Tracy Austin and Andrea Jaeger in 1981. For Eala, who's become a young heroine in the Philippines, it was all so crushing after Joint sealed the deal with a backhand cross-court winner that the 20-year-old ended in tears, with the Australian trying to console her that "we will definitely play in more finals". Remarkably, Joint's run to her first WTA title on the clay at the Morocco Open five weeks ago also came on the weekend before a grand slam, and she then got knocked out in the first round by Ajla Tomljanovic. "It's really great preparation. I've got a lot of matches in before Wimbledon, and hopefully I can be in Wimbledon a little bit longer than I was in the French," said Joint. "I think this time's a tiny bit different. I get one more day of rest, and I'll just detach myself a little bit more from the last match, and just focus on the match coming up. "But I'm just really excited to get to London later today, and step into Wimby for the first time." Of Samsonova, a tough customer who's reached the last-16 in three grand slams, Joint shrugged: "I haven't played her before, so I don't know too much about her. "When I get to Wimbledon, I'll just take a walk around, have some strawberries and cream - I love strawberries and cream." The news quickly spread to the youngster's friends and colleagues at Wimbledon 120km north of the seaside town, leaving Daria Kasatkina, who won the tournament last year before she switched her allegiance to Australia, delighted for her Eastbourne hitting partner. "I practised with her before Eastbourne, and she actually had a little struggle playing on grass, and I could see she was a bit, let's say, depressed about the practice," revealed the woman who's Australia's No.1 ahead of Joint. "But you already saw she won a title this year, and she's got great potential. She's also a very nice girl, hard-working girl. I mean, she's got everything - and I'm happy for her to having this success already so early." Teenage sensation Maya Joint has earned an epic, backs-to-the-wall maiden grass-court triumph at the Eastbourne International to give Australia's challenge at Wimbledon the perfect launch pad. The remarkable US-born 19-year-old, who's been making a stratospheric rise in the sport since relocating to Queensland less than two years ago, saved four match points on her way to defeating fellow rising star Alexandra Eala in a pulsating tiebreak finale on Saturday (Sunday AEST). It meant Joint became the first Australian player to win the women's title in the 50-year history of the British seaside event which has become the traditional curtain raiser for the grass-court grand slam which begins on Monday. "It's been an amazing year, an amazing two years," beamed Joint at Devonshire Park, while saluting the Aussie coach Chris Mahony she credits for transforming her career. "Thank you for everything you've done. You're a lifesaver," she told him on court. The astonishing 6-4 1-6 7-6 (12-10) win rocketed Brisbane-based Joint, who only turned 19 in April, to No.41 in the world when she kicks off her maiden Wimbledon with a tough opener against Russian No.19 seed Liudmila Samsonova on Tuesday. "I'm very happy right now, feeling very relieved as well. It was a very difficult match. In that third set, and I'm proud of myself for coming back and staying in the match, even though I'd lost about nine of the last 10 games," said Joint. She had been 5-2 down, and almost out, in the final breaker, having to come up with fabulous defensive scrabbling to stay in contention as Eala came agonisingly close to becoming the Philippines' first ever WTA champion. But the teenage daughter of former Sydney squash professional Michael Joint demonstrated real courage and calm in a terrific showdown which, after a nervy spell from both players as they both homed in on the title, really hit the heights in the youngest final since Tracy Austin and Andrea Jaeger in 1981. For Eala, who's become a young heroine in the Philippines, it was all so crushing after Joint sealed the deal with a backhand cross-court winner that the 20-year-old ended in tears, with the Australian trying to console her that "we will definitely play in more finals". Remarkably, Joint's run to her first WTA title on the clay at the Morocco Open five weeks ago also came on the weekend before a grand slam, and she then got knocked out in the first round by Ajla Tomljanovic. "It's really great preparation. I've got a lot of matches in before Wimbledon, and hopefully I can be in Wimbledon a little bit longer than I was in the French," said Joint. "I think this time's a tiny bit different. I get one more day of rest, and I'll just detach myself a little bit more from the last match, and just focus on the match coming up. "But I'm just really excited to get to London later today, and step into Wimby for the first time." Of Samsonova, a tough customer who's reached the last-16 in three grand slams, Joint shrugged: "I haven't played her before, so I don't know too much about her. "When I get to Wimbledon, I'll just take a walk around, have some strawberries and cream - I love strawberries and cream." The news quickly spread to the youngster's friends and colleagues at Wimbledon 120km north of the seaside town, leaving Daria Kasatkina, who won the tournament last year before she switched her allegiance to Australia, delighted for her Eastbourne hitting partner. "I practised with her before Eastbourne, and she actually had a little struggle playing on grass, and I could see she was a bit, let's say, depressed about the practice," revealed the woman who's Australia's No.1 ahead of Joint. "But you already saw she won a title this year, and she's got great potential. She's also a very nice girl, hard-working girl. I mean, she's got everything - and I'm happy for her to having this success already so early." Teenage sensation Maya Joint has earned an epic, backs-to-the-wall maiden grass-court triumph at the Eastbourne International to give Australia's challenge at Wimbledon the perfect launch pad. The remarkable US-born 19-year-old, who's been making a stratospheric rise in the sport since relocating to Queensland less than two years ago, saved four match points on her way to defeating fellow rising star Alexandra Eala in a pulsating tiebreak finale on Saturday (Sunday AEST). It meant Joint became the first Australian player to win the women's title in the 50-year history of the British seaside event which has become the traditional curtain raiser for the grass-court grand slam which begins on Monday. "It's been an amazing year, an amazing two years," beamed Joint at Devonshire Park, while saluting the Aussie coach Chris Mahony she credits for transforming her career. "Thank you for everything you've done. You're a lifesaver," she told him on court. The astonishing 6-4 1-6 7-6 (12-10) win rocketed Brisbane-based Joint, who only turned 19 in April, to No.41 in the world when she kicks off her maiden Wimbledon with a tough opener against Russian No.19 seed Liudmila Samsonova on Tuesday. "I'm very happy right now, feeling very relieved as well. It was a very difficult match. In that third set, and I'm proud of myself for coming back and staying in the match, even though I'd lost about nine of the last 10 games," said Joint. She had been 5-2 down, and almost out, in the final breaker, having to come up with fabulous defensive scrabbling to stay in contention as Eala came agonisingly close to becoming the Philippines' first ever WTA champion. But the teenage daughter of former Sydney squash professional Michael Joint demonstrated real courage and calm in a terrific showdown which, after a nervy spell from both players as they both homed in on the title, really hit the heights in the youngest final since Tracy Austin and Andrea Jaeger in 1981. For Eala, who's become a young heroine in the Philippines, it was all so crushing after Joint sealed the deal with a backhand cross-court winner that the 20-year-old ended in tears, with the Australian trying to console her that "we will definitely play in more finals". Remarkably, Joint's run to her first WTA title on the clay at the Morocco Open five weeks ago also came on the weekend before a grand slam, and she then got knocked out in the first round by Ajla Tomljanovic. "It's really great preparation. I've got a lot of matches in before Wimbledon, and hopefully I can be in Wimbledon a little bit longer than I was in the French," said Joint. "I think this time's a tiny bit different. I get one more day of rest, and I'll just detach myself a little bit more from the last match, and just focus on the match coming up. "But I'm just really excited to get to London later today, and step into Wimby for the first time." Of Samsonova, a tough customer who's reached the last-16 in three grand slams, Joint shrugged: "I haven't played her before, so I don't know too much about her. "When I get to Wimbledon, I'll just take a walk around, have some strawberries and cream - I love strawberries and cream." The news quickly spread to the youngster's friends and colleagues at Wimbledon 120km north of the seaside town, leaving Daria Kasatkina, who won the tournament last year before she switched her allegiance to Australia, delighted for her Eastbourne hitting partner. "I practised with her before Eastbourne, and she actually had a little struggle playing on grass, and I could see she was a bit, let's say, depressed about the practice," revealed the woman who's Australia's No.1 ahead of Joint. "But you already saw she won a title this year, and she's got great potential. She's also a very nice girl, hard-working girl. I mean, she's got everything - and I'm happy for her to having this success already so early."
Perth Now
3 hours ago
- Perth Now
Saluting Maya: Joint's jumping again as Wimbledon looms
Teenage sensation Maya Joint has earned an epic, backs-to-the-wall maiden grass-court triumph at the Eastbourne International to give Australia's challenge at Wimbledon the perfect launch pad. The remarkable US-born 19-year-old, who's been making a stratospheric rise in the sport since relocating to Queensland less than two years ago, saved four match points on her way to defeating fellow rising star Alexandra Eala in a pulsating tiebreak finale on Saturday (Sunday AEST). It meant Joint became the first Australian player to win the women's title in the 50-year history of the British seaside event which has become the traditional curtain raiser for the grass-court grand slam which begins on Monday. "It's been an amazing year, an amazing two years," beamed Joint at Devonshire Park, while saluting the Aussie coach Chris Mahony she credits for transforming her career. "Thank you for everything you've done. You're a lifesaver," she told him on court. The astonishing 6-4 1-6 7-6 (12-10) win rocketed Brisbane-based Joint, who only turned 19 in April, to No.41 in the world when she kicks off her maiden Wimbledon with a tough opener against Russian No.19 seed Liudmila Samsonova on Tuesday. "I'm very happy right now, feeling very relieved as well. It was a very difficult match. In that third set, and I'm proud of myself for coming back and staying in the match, even though I'd lost about nine of the last 10 games," said Joint. She had been 5-2 down, and almost out, in the final breaker, having to come up with fabulous defensive scrabbling to stay in contention as Eala came agonisingly close to becoming the Philippines' first ever WTA champion. But the teenage daughter of former Sydney squash professional Michael Joint demonstrated real courage and calm in a terrific showdown which, after a nervy spell from both players as they both homed in on the title, really hit the heights in the youngest final since Tracy Austin and Andrea Jaeger in 1981. For Eala, who's become a young heroine in the Philippines, it was all so crushing after Joint sealed the deal with a backhand cross-court winner that the 20-year-old ended in tears, with the Australian trying to console her that "we will definitely play in more finals". Remarkably, Joint's run to her first WTA title on the clay at the Morocco Open five weeks ago also came on the weekend before a grand slam, and she then got knocked out in the first round by Ajla Tomljanovic. "It's really great preparation. I've got a lot of matches in before Wimbledon, and hopefully I can be in Wimbledon a little bit longer than I was in the French," said Joint. "I think this time's a tiny bit different. I get one more day of rest, and I'll just detach myself a little bit more from the last match, and just focus on the match coming up. "But I'm just really excited to get to London later today, and step into Wimby for the first time." Of Samsonova, a tough customer who's reached the last-16 in three grand slams, Joint shrugged: "I haven't played her before, so I don't know too much about her. "When I get to Wimbledon, I'll just take a walk around, have some strawberries and cream - I love strawberries and cream." The news quickly spread to the youngster's friends and colleagues at Wimbledon 120km north of the seaside town, leaving Daria Kasatkina, who won the tournament last year before she switched her allegiance to Australia, delighted for her Eastbourne hitting partner. "I practised with her before Eastbourne, and she actually had a little struggle playing on grass, and I could see she was a bit, let's say, depressed about the practice," revealed the woman who's Australia's No.1 ahead of Joint. "But you already saw she won a title this year, and she's got great potential. She's also a very nice girl, hard-working girl. I mean, she's got everything - and I'm happy for her to having this success already so early."
The Advertiser
4 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Norris bounces back to leave Piastri in his slipstream
A dominant Lando Norris has delivered the perfect response to his Montreal horror show by securing an emphatic pole position for Sunday's Austrian Grand Prix. Australia's Oscar Piastri, the world championship leader, was forced to settle for third place, behind his McLaren teammate and Ferrari's Charles Leclerc, admitting afterwards: "Sometimes it's just not your day." Norris's world championship bid was dealt a major setback a fortnight ago when he ran into the back of Piastri. But the British driver has been in excellent form at the Red Bull Ring, topping all of the practice sessions he has competed in, before landing the 12th pole of his career. Norris's margin over Leclerc was a huge 0.521 seconds - the biggest of the year so far at the shortest track on the calendar. Piastri, who leads Norris by 22 points in the title standings, was 0.583 sec behind his team-mate with Lewis Hamilton fourth. Piastri was unable to complete his final lap in Q3 after Alpine's Pierre Gasly spun ahead of him, causing a yellow flag which meant drivers behind had to slow down. "Lando's been very quick all weekend so it would have been a tough challenge, but I think we easily had enough pace in the car this weekend to be on the front row," Piastri said. "Always a shame when you don't even get the chance, but we can still have a good race from there. Sometimes it's just not your day." Norris admitted he made a fool of himself when he collided with Piastri in Montreal, and was warned of "tough conversations" by McLaren team principal Andrea Stella. However he has been in a class of one so far here, and he will start the 11th round of this 24-race season as the favourite to claim a win which could serve as a springboard to get his title charge back on track a week out from his home event at Silverstone. Norris' first lap in Q3 placed him two tenths faster than anyone else, and he then pulled out more than half-a-second with his next lap. "It was a good lap, that's for sure," said Norris. "I feel like my first lap in Q3 was good but I knew I could get more time and I did exactly that. I did what I planned to do and when I do that and it goes right it is usually very good." After landing his first win of the season last time out in Canada, George Russell ended up in fifth, but Max Verstappen could manage only seventh after he complained that his Red Bull was "undriveable". Verstappen is 43 points off the championship pace and faces the prospect of losing further ground following a disappointing qualifying session at a venue he has so often ruled. "The car is completely undriveable," he said over the radio after finishing nearly a second behind Norris. "It is even worse than before. I don't even know what to say." With PA A dominant Lando Norris has delivered the perfect response to his Montreal horror show by securing an emphatic pole position for Sunday's Austrian Grand Prix. Australia's Oscar Piastri, the world championship leader, was forced to settle for third place, behind his McLaren teammate and Ferrari's Charles Leclerc, admitting afterwards: "Sometimes it's just not your day." Norris's world championship bid was dealt a major setback a fortnight ago when he ran into the back of Piastri. But the British driver has been in excellent form at the Red Bull Ring, topping all of the practice sessions he has competed in, before landing the 12th pole of his career. Norris's margin over Leclerc was a huge 0.521 seconds - the biggest of the year so far at the shortest track on the calendar. Piastri, who leads Norris by 22 points in the title standings, was 0.583 sec behind his team-mate with Lewis Hamilton fourth. Piastri was unable to complete his final lap in Q3 after Alpine's Pierre Gasly spun ahead of him, causing a yellow flag which meant drivers behind had to slow down. "Lando's been very quick all weekend so it would have been a tough challenge, but I think we easily had enough pace in the car this weekend to be on the front row," Piastri said. "Always a shame when you don't even get the chance, but we can still have a good race from there. Sometimes it's just not your day." Norris admitted he made a fool of himself when he collided with Piastri in Montreal, and was warned of "tough conversations" by McLaren team principal Andrea Stella. However he has been in a class of one so far here, and he will start the 11th round of this 24-race season as the favourite to claim a win which could serve as a springboard to get his title charge back on track a week out from his home event at Silverstone. Norris' first lap in Q3 placed him two tenths faster than anyone else, and he then pulled out more than half-a-second with his next lap. "It was a good lap, that's for sure," said Norris. "I feel like my first lap in Q3 was good but I knew I could get more time and I did exactly that. I did what I planned to do and when I do that and it goes right it is usually very good." After landing his first win of the season last time out in Canada, George Russell ended up in fifth, but Max Verstappen could manage only seventh after he complained that his Red Bull was "undriveable". Verstappen is 43 points off the championship pace and faces the prospect of losing further ground following a disappointing qualifying session at a venue he has so often ruled. "The car is completely undriveable," he said over the radio after finishing nearly a second behind Norris. "It is even worse than before. I don't even know what to say." With PA A dominant Lando Norris has delivered the perfect response to his Montreal horror show by securing an emphatic pole position for Sunday's Austrian Grand Prix. Australia's Oscar Piastri, the world championship leader, was forced to settle for third place, behind his McLaren teammate and Ferrari's Charles Leclerc, admitting afterwards: "Sometimes it's just not your day." Norris's world championship bid was dealt a major setback a fortnight ago when he ran into the back of Piastri. But the British driver has been in excellent form at the Red Bull Ring, topping all of the practice sessions he has competed in, before landing the 12th pole of his career. Norris's margin over Leclerc was a huge 0.521 seconds - the biggest of the year so far at the shortest track on the calendar. Piastri, who leads Norris by 22 points in the title standings, was 0.583 sec behind his team-mate with Lewis Hamilton fourth. Piastri was unable to complete his final lap in Q3 after Alpine's Pierre Gasly spun ahead of him, causing a yellow flag which meant drivers behind had to slow down. "Lando's been very quick all weekend so it would have been a tough challenge, but I think we easily had enough pace in the car this weekend to be on the front row," Piastri said. "Always a shame when you don't even get the chance, but we can still have a good race from there. Sometimes it's just not your day." Norris admitted he made a fool of himself when he collided with Piastri in Montreal, and was warned of "tough conversations" by McLaren team principal Andrea Stella. However he has been in a class of one so far here, and he will start the 11th round of this 24-race season as the favourite to claim a win which could serve as a springboard to get his title charge back on track a week out from his home event at Silverstone. Norris' first lap in Q3 placed him two tenths faster than anyone else, and he then pulled out more than half-a-second with his next lap. "It was a good lap, that's for sure," said Norris. "I feel like my first lap in Q3 was good but I knew I could get more time and I did exactly that. I did what I planned to do and when I do that and it goes right it is usually very good." After landing his first win of the season last time out in Canada, George Russell ended up in fifth, but Max Verstappen could manage only seventh after he complained that his Red Bull was "undriveable". Verstappen is 43 points off the championship pace and faces the prospect of losing further ground following a disappointing qualifying session at a venue he has so often ruled. "The car is completely undriveable," he said over the radio after finishing nearly a second behind Norris. "It is even worse than before. I don't even know what to say." With PA A dominant Lando Norris has delivered the perfect response to his Montreal horror show by securing an emphatic pole position for Sunday's Austrian Grand Prix. Australia's Oscar Piastri, the world championship leader, was forced to settle for third place, behind his McLaren teammate and Ferrari's Charles Leclerc, admitting afterwards: "Sometimes it's just not your day." Norris's world championship bid was dealt a major setback a fortnight ago when he ran into the back of Piastri. But the British driver has been in excellent form at the Red Bull Ring, topping all of the practice sessions he has competed in, before landing the 12th pole of his career. Norris's margin over Leclerc was a huge 0.521 seconds - the biggest of the year so far at the shortest track on the calendar. Piastri, who leads Norris by 22 points in the title standings, was 0.583 sec behind his team-mate with Lewis Hamilton fourth. Piastri was unable to complete his final lap in Q3 after Alpine's Pierre Gasly spun ahead of him, causing a yellow flag which meant drivers behind had to slow down. "Lando's been very quick all weekend so it would have been a tough challenge, but I think we easily had enough pace in the car this weekend to be on the front row," Piastri said. "Always a shame when you don't even get the chance, but we can still have a good race from there. Sometimes it's just not your day." Norris admitted he made a fool of himself when he collided with Piastri in Montreal, and was warned of "tough conversations" by McLaren team principal Andrea Stella. However he has been in a class of one so far here, and he will start the 11th round of this 24-race season as the favourite to claim a win which could serve as a springboard to get his title charge back on track a week out from his home event at Silverstone. Norris' first lap in Q3 placed him two tenths faster than anyone else, and he then pulled out more than half-a-second with his next lap. "It was a good lap, that's for sure," said Norris. "I feel like my first lap in Q3 was good but I knew I could get more time and I did exactly that. I did what I planned to do and when I do that and it goes right it is usually very good." After landing his first win of the season last time out in Canada, George Russell ended up in fifth, but Max Verstappen could manage only seventh after he complained that his Red Bull was "undriveable". Verstappen is 43 points off the championship pace and faces the prospect of losing further ground following a disappointing qualifying session at a venue he has so often ruled. "The car is completely undriveable," he said over the radio after finishing nearly a second behind Norris. "It is even worse than before. I don't even know what to say." With PA
