GRR on X  GRR on Facebook GRR in Instagram GRR Vimeo Library GRR on YouTube RuggaMatrix America Podcasts Support GRR on Patreon

Lindenwood Beats Davenport, on to DIA QFs

irish rugby tours

Lindenwood Beats Davenport, on to DIA QFs

Steven Zomberg photo.

Lindenwood University defeated Davenport 36-14 Saturday in a game that doubled as the final Mid-South league game and next week's DIA playoff.

Since Lindenwood and Davenport were slated to play in the DIA playoffs anyway, Lindenwood offered Davenport the option of making this game count twice, thus saving Davenport the trip to St. Charles, Mo. next week. 

Davenport opened the scoring with an early try from center Reece Czarnecki, converted by Noah Zomberg. That lead last until the 36th minute, when Lindenwood No. 8 Wesley White picked up from the scrum and went over. Moments later, flyhalf Nick Feakes scored on a quick tap to give Lindenwood a 10-7 lead at halftime.

The second half was more Lindenwood's, with lock Christopher Schoeman thundering over for three tries in less than 15 minutes. The first two were just good support running, as Shoeman got on his horse and followed big breaks. The third was a lineout take and maul. After Davenport's Chase Pego scored, Colten Hernandez added a try. Feakes converted three in the 36-14 result.

"We were sloppy in the first half," said Lindenwood's Sam Chapman. "Because of early knock-ons and penalties, we let them hang around much longer than we would have liked. Our boys did well defending in our 22, which we had to do almost all of the first half."

Lindenwood did a better job moving the ball side to side. Working phases and attacking interior channels eventually opened up space out wide. 

"I was proud of our ability at halftime to recognize what we did wrong and come out in the second half and fix those mistakes," said Chapman. 

"It wasn't a pretty win, but we dug our heels in when we needed to," added Feakes. "Our forwards we outstanding. They worked hard all game and were rewarded with five-pointers."

With the victory, the final Mid-South standings look like this:

Mid-South - DIA W L T Pf Pa Pd BT BL Pts
Life 6 0 0 266 54 212 4 0 28
Lindenwood 3 2 1 184 102 82 3 1 18
Arkansas State 2 1 1 123 116 7 2 0 12
Clemson 1 3 0 74 258 -184 1 0 5
Davenport 0 6 0 90 207 -117 1 1 2

 

In addition, Lindenwood moves through the DIA quarterfinals and will play at Life University April 22.