Classic Lions 55

United States 12

Defending champions Classic Lions sent out an ominous warning to any challengers with a massacre of the United States at the National Sports Centre on day two of the World Rugby Classic last night.

Scoring a whopping nine tries, the Lions blitzed their way into the semi-finals where they will take on South Africa who also tasted victory with a win over a resilient Canada.

The Lions were stunned into action when the US took a shock lead in the fifth minute through Doug Brown, who intercepted Brad Heppi's sloppy pass, for an unconverted try.

But after weathering a brief storm of Eagles' possession, the Lions' superior class emerged with Mark Blair, Ropate Kama and David Officer scoring a trio of tries in the last ten minutes of the first half.

The second period saw Lions continue from where they left off with livewire Kama scoring his second try before David Scully, John Dudley and Craig Everson got in on the act.

But the US showed patches of attacking verve themselves and pulled one back through Eric Masterson. It was short-lived joy, however, with the Lions responding in kind through Dudley and Robinson Matheson, who ended the rout.

After the final whistle Lions coach Allan Martin said: "As predicted the United States came out strong and threw everything at us in the early stages. But we weathered the storm and dominated from then on," he said.

"I wouldn't say we are confident about defending our Classic title because you never know how the ball is going to bounce for you, but the longer we are in the tournament the better we will get."

South Africa 12

Canada 0

South Africa advanced to the semi-final stage last night with a 12-0 victory over a Canada team who won plenty of admirers with an unyielding defensive display. "Canada's defence was absolutely fantastic," commented Springboks coach Ian McIntosh. "But we didn't do ourselves any favours by constantly losing our lineouts and not getting our second-phase play going."

After a scoreless first period it took until 39 minutes for South Africa, without the legendary Joost van der Westhuizen, who has not made the trip, to break the deadlock through Piet Joubert. His try was converted by Braam van Straaten to give the Springboks a 7-0 lead. In the dying seconds of the game they put the game beyond Canada with Joubert doubling his try account.

"I thought we were a little scratchy, " added former national team coach McIntosh. "People may talk about us being favourites but that does not bother us. I think New Zealand are also favourites. But if people want to make us favourites then we must live up to that." Despite defeat, Canada coach Spencer Robinson was encouraged by his side's performance and said his players had done their nation proud.

"Canada is not a traditional powerhouse of rugby so for us to come to Bermuda and play so well against a team like South Africa is very encouraging. Our defence was excellent and even when they penetrated us we still had guys coming back to make cover tackles.

"Unfortunately our offensive game wasn't so successful."

The World Rugby Classic golf tournament will be staged at Riddell's Bay Golf and Country Club today. Tomorrow sees Argentina take on France in the Plate semi-final at 7 p.m and Australia lock horns with New Zealand at 8.30 p.m in the first semi-final.