Life University escaped an intense battle with Davenport University Saturday, kicking a penalty goal with no time left to win the opening match in the Mid-South Conference 28-25.

Playing at Life’s home field in Marietta, Ga., the game was back-and-forth throughout the day, with neither breaking very far ahead. In fact, the biggest lead of the day came early on, after Life scored an early converted try to go ahead 7-0.

Davenport worked hard to keep consistent possession and keep the ball out of Life’s hands. It worked well enough, getting them a penalty that flyhalf JP Eloff missed, but soon enough the Panthers worked their way over, bolstered by a big break from flanker Conor Schilling, and the teams were tied.

Not for long, as the Running Eagles, using the Van Schalkwyk brothers to probe the outer edges of the backline, went over for another try and a 14-7 lead. That was the last time the teams were so far apart.

Eloff slotted a penalty to make it 14-10, and then scampered in for a try, that he converted, to make it 14-17 for Davenport. Life responded, and so did Davenport, and the Panthers led 22-19 at halftime.

The two teams ramped up their tackling in the second period and the game slowed to a series of stymied attacks and set pieces. Blane McIlroy slotted a penalty to tie the game. Eloff added one of his own, and then McIlroy hit one to make it 25-25 with 20 minutes to go. It stayed like that for the rest of the game. 

With time up Life worked their way into Davenport territory. They got a penalty, and from long range, McIlroy slotted the goal. 

It was a dramatic game that had all sorts of offense in the first half and was a classic, tense, defensive battle in the second. Davenport’s phase play was their best feature, although they produced some big breaks, as well. Life’s pace out wide was their most dangerous asset, but their forwards worked hard. Both flyhalves were crucial.

Life is now 1-0 in the Mid-South, while Davenport goes to 0-1, but the Panthers also put the rest of the country on notice.