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Blood, sweat and finally champagne flowed for the Lions as they battled their way to victory at a memorable Rugby Classic.

The celebrations went on long into the night on Saturday as the Brits equalled New Zealand's all-time record of seven wins in the tournament.

Tries from Anthony Ward, Howard Graham and Anthony Foley were the difference between the two sides as the Lions, clad in their distinctive pink shirts, ground out a deserved 19-5 win in front of 4,000-plus fans at the National Centre on Sunday.

Now coach Allan Martin is targeting a run of dominance in the event to rival that which the All Blacks enjoyed in the 90s.

"We'd like to go for three on the trot like New Zealand did. I don't know if it's possible now because it is such a tough week and the teams are getting stronger each year.

"The standard of rugby this year was much higher than it has been in previous Classics. We had really good, physical opposition."

Martin has been there for all 21 classics including all seven of the British wins in their various incarnations - first as Wales, then the Barbarians and more recently as the Lions.

He said the quality of players he was able to attract to his team increased each year with the 2008 vintage the best he'd ever brought to Bermuda.

"Guys like Anthony Foley and Shane Byrne have just finished winning Heineken Cups and even they found the going tough at times.

"It's amazing really when you think of guys that have just come out of professional rugby. They've won all there is to win - triple crowns, Grand Slams, Heineken Cups - yet it really meant a lot to them to win this.

"They were over the moon. And they all, to a man, enjoyed themselves. This is the best team we've had, on and off the pitch."

The standard may have got higher and the competition tougher but the Lions philosophy remains the same. For Martin, having a good time is just as important as winning.

He said his job as coach was simply to put the team together and keep them out of the bar long enough to play some good rugby.

"We had a half hour run out and that was it. All the other teams were out there every day training, but I try to keep all that to a minimum because that's not what this tournament is about."

He said most of the players had brought their wives, which had helped keep them on the straight and narrow during the week-long festival of rugby and parties.

"There's a lot of socializing and the wives help keep them under control - keep the hangovers down on match day."

On the pitch it was the strength in the line-out that was crucial to the Lions success with pin-point accurate throws from former Ireland hooker Shane Byrne and Barry Williams.

"It was very much a squad effort but my star players were Mark Cromwell and Mark Blair in the second row. Our line-out was very strong and I think that was key to our success this week."[[In-content Ad]]

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