May 29 down the years
Lions romp to record victory but black fans baton charged
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Dan Hipkiss breaks to score the winning try for Leicester at Twickenham on this day in 2010 © Getty Images
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1974
The Lions ripped up the record books as they thrashed South-West Districts 97-0 at Mossel Bay, with Alan Old establishing an individual record by scoring 37 points (15 conversions and a penalty) while JJ Williams ran in six tries, equalling a record set by David Duckham in 1971 As the few hundred coloured spectators allowed in to the ground surged on at the end to congratulate the players they were baton charged by South Africa's oh-so-reasonable police.

2003
Eighteen-year-olds James Haskell and Paul Doran-Jones made the papers for all the wrong reasons. The Under-18 England internationals were revealed having filmed Doran-Jones having sex with his girlfriend at Wellington College and then shown the tape to a packed common room. A pupil at the school told the Daily Express: "It lasted for fully 30 minutes and was really funny, more than anything else. Paul was flexing his muscles and grinning at the camera all the way through. He was really showing off. He thinks he is a big-time rugby player and so was trying to do his 'hard man' bit for the video camera. He knew exactly where the lens was and stared at it virtually all the time. The school has been trying to keep it under wraps." The three involved were suspended by the school.

1987
Wales struggled as they beat Tonga 29-16 at the inaugural World Cup. They looked in good form as they took a 10-0 lead after 11 minutes but struggled thereafter and were hit by a string of injuries which left them with 14 men on the field by the end. Unsurprisingly, Tonga ran in nine unanswered points in 15 minutes of injury time.

2004
For the second year running Wasps came through the play-offs to win the Zurich Championship without ever leading the league table. Any resemblance to the previous year's massacre of Gloucester was coincidental as Bath pushed Wasps to the limit, pressing hard on their line when the final whistle was blown after nine minutes of injury time. Centre Stuart Aboott scored the crucial try in a 10-6 win, linking up with wing Tom Voyce to win a close game.

1987
Off-field problems at the inaugural World Cup as France were forced to switch from their hotel, the aptly named Mon Desir, after their manager got upset at his players enthusiastic mingling with the female guests. "There is too much desire at the Mon Desit," he was quoted as saying.

1977
British Lions skipper Phil Bennett called for the length of future tours to be reduced from 25 matches to around 15. "It's the greatest honour to play for the Lions, but the modern player is under tremendous pressure to get 14 weeks off work," he said. His comments came against a backdrop of several of the squad having to take unpaid leave because their employers would not give them time off otherwise.

2010
Leicester retrained the Guinness Premiership with a 33-27 win over Saracens at Twickenham. Dan Hipkiss sealed the victory with a try four minutes from time.

2002
New Italy boss John Kirwan began his reign as national coach with a 37-13 victory over New Zealand second division side Manawatu.The fixture was the first of Italy's tour of New Zealand and was the national side's first win since they triumphed over Fiji the previous November. Matteo Barbini crossed for two tries as the Azzurri led 16-10 at the break, but the inexperienced Manawatu side took command early in the second half but were hit by three three tries in quick succession as Italy stretched their lead.

1968
Bob Hiller fired the British & Irish Lions to a 23-14 win against Eastern Province with a try, conversion and three penalty goals in Port Elizabeth. It was their fourth win in four, their best start to a tour in 50 years, but once more the referee came in for criticism, not for any bias but simply because he was not good enough. "If this is the best South Africa can offer then it's time for neutrals to stand in the Tests," an unnamed Lion said.

1971
Welsh winger John Bevan scored three tries for the Lions in a convincing 35-14 defeat of Waikato in Hamilton.

1956
Roy Dryburgh established a record for a Springbok on tour, crossing for six tries in South Africa's 47-3 win against Queensland in Brisbane.

1971
France won the third match of their tour of South Africa, defeating a strong Transvaal side 20-14 at Ellis Park, Johannesburg. Jean-Louis BĂ©rot converted a try, kicked a penalty and dropped two goals to maintain the visitors' unbeaten record.

1976
Two dropped goals by Doug Bruce steered Canterbury to a comfortable 18-4 win against Ireland in Christchurch. Skipper Tom Grace scored a consolation try for the visitors at the Jade Stadium.

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