Joe Marler and Courtney Lawes copped head bangs as they came in either side of a tackle.

Both are back up and running. Marler asks the referee how he looks after having tape wrapped around his aching noggin.

Image source, Getty Images

The ball breaks loose. The Chiefs fly-hack forward. The Lions at full panic stations.

Eventually the tourists defence gets to grips with the danger.

But they are tired.

We are 20 phases deep and have covered pretty much every blade since the last stoppage....

Props to Liam Williams.

The Scarlets/Saracens flier is decked by an enormous hit as he runs into traffic. But he hangs onto the ball and manages to present.

Image source, Getty Images

Rory Best throws another duff line-out. His radar is on the wonk so far after the interval.

The Lions give up a promising position on the Chiefs 22m. But there are soon back from more.

Good work from CJ Stander and Justin Tipuric has them back within range.

Rory Best finds Courtney Lawes with a better line-out throw.

CJ Stander slips away from Mitchell Brown's rush out of the defensive line.

Dan Biggar puts up a snowy cross-field bomb and the Chiefs number 12 Johnny Faauli cynically blocks off the chasing Jack Nowell to give away a penalty.

Neill Wight: Please can we get Finn Russell off the bench for the 2nd half. Creativity needs to begin on this tour

Tom McCarron: This Lions bench devalues the shirt, I honestly believe the best England 15 would have a better chance Saturday vs the All Blacks

Chris Jones
BBC 5 live rugby union reporter at the Waikato Stadium

Nipped out of the press box to sit among the fans on the lower tier.

Cacophony of noise with Lions fans in good voice, their chants met by the constant ringing of cow-bells from the Waikato faithful.

Rory Best's line-out darts are more Dog and Duck than Phil the Power.

The Ireland hooker's first in the second half is squint and it is a Chiefs scrum on the Lions ten-metre line.

Jamie George has a tight grip on that Test two shirt.

A seven-point lead in the bank. Forty minutes to go.

We are back up and running.

Ugo Monye
Former Lions and England winger

The negative from the Lions is that a few too many penalties have been given away, and considering the lack of pressure the Chiefs have put the tourists under, you'd consider them needless.

One of them resulted in a yellow card for Joe Marler. This ill discipline can't rear its ugly head come Saturday, the All Blacks thrive off ill discipline and the opportunities it creates. They do not need encouraging!

It will be interesting to see how Warren Gatland and his coaching staff use the bench as it may give us an indication as to who might be pushing for a Test 23 jersey if players get withdrawn early.

Half-time stats - courtesy of ESPN., external

Chiefs-Lions

Possesion: 40%-58%

Territory: 36%-63%

Metres run: 115-197

Clean breaks: 3-3

Defenders beaten: 8-13

Penalties conceded: 4-6

Statisticians might be worried about the percentages that don't add up to 100.

Warren Gatland will be more concerned by the six first-half penalties.

Ugo Monye
Former Lions and England winger

A comprehensive first half performance by the Lions. They have shown all the qualities we expect the test team to display - good set-piece, defensive linespeed and physicality, but also an ability - or at least a willingness - to spread the ball.

With that in mind we are seeing some lovely glimpses from the wingers, Elliot Daly and Jack Nowell. The latter, who hasn't played as well as people might have expected on tour so far, is looking hungry and sharp once again.

Dan Biggar at fly-half is orchestrating his team very well whilst being a threat with ball in hand. CJ Stander is making easy yards at number eight, which hasn't always been the case.

But for me the performance of the half belongs to Courtney Lawes. He was unfortunate to come off early with an HIA last week, but he is hitting his usual high standards today and his influence is being felt all over the park and in the air. Today's performance means he has a huge chance to force his way into the Test 23.

Chris Jones
BBC 5 live rugby union reporter at the Waikato Stadium

Save for the odd bit of ill-discipline, the Lions have played well and are good value for their half-time lead.

And players like Liam Williams, Jack Nowell and James Haskell - all quiet on tour so far - are looking more comfortable in the Lions jersey.

Dan Biggar and Courtney Lawes have both been excellent as well.

Matt White: Have to remember how awful the lions bench is today need a big lead before the subs come on

Stephen Donald flips off the kick to round off a first half in which the Lions have looked powerful up front, but have been let down by some ill-discipline elsewhere.

Chris Jones
BBC 5 live rugby union reporter at the Waikato Stadium

Dan Biggar has had a stormer so far, but he's pretty lucky to escape further sanction for that high shot.

Image source, Getty Images

Dan Biggar's gander is up.

The Wales fly-half come flailing in on number eight Tom Sanders as a mess of limbs and ill intent.

It is high and ugly and it gives away a penalty and give the Chiefs a chance to clear their lines.

The Chiefs somehow manage to keep the Lions up and off their try line from the driving maul.

Rory Best looked locked in the pocket and ready to dot down, but something went wrong in the execution.

Still pressure on the hosts with their put-in to the scrum five.

Nial Foster
BBC Sport Northern Ireland at the Waikato Stadium

Ulster's Rory Best and Iain Henderson were instrumental in providing the gap for Jack Nowell to dart in for the opening try. Best emerged from a midfield role to crash in, with Henderson being as menacing as ever at the ruck.

So far, the 25-year-old lock has stripped the ball four times in the tackle, inspired at the line out and been a constant thorn in the Chiefs side. A Test squad selection could be imminent...