So much can be deceiving in little things like a game score, and certainly that is the case in Lindenwood’s 27-16 defeat of Life in Marietta.

Don’t get us wrong, it’s a big win for the Lions perhaps made all the more important because Lindenwood had been training indoors much of the previous couple of weeks because of heavy snow, while Life had already gotten a game in.

But, 27-16 is somewhat misleading. With four minutes remaining and the score 22-16 Life ran a tap penalty move five meters from the Lindenwood line. For the next several phases the Running Eagles bashed against the Lions defense until a player picked up and stretched over only to lose the ball and for Lindenwood to get out of trouble.

A try then, and an almost inevitable conversion thereafter, would have put Life in the lead and also given them a chance to march down for more.

So, despite the 11-point winning margin at full time, this game was on a knife edge throughout.

Putting the Boot In

Life opened the game with a penalty goal from flyhalf Bradley Crane that was punishment for a fairly obvious offside by Lindenwood.

Lindenwood replied with a penalty from Evan Williams, punishment for a ruck offense.

This is how the game went—defenses were tough and both teams were aggressive in trying to poach ball in the breakdown. The result was that every time there was a penalty within even remotely kickable range, they opted for posts.

“When you’ve got someone like Evan, why wouldn’t you take the points?” said Lindenwood Head Coach Josh Macy. “And really it’s the same for Life with Crane. What was weird for us was the see Williams miss.”

And miss he did … eventually.

Crane hit one from 42 meters after a holding-on penalty against the Lions, and then, after a slightly improved period of continuity, Lindenwood equalized with another Williams penalty. 

Crane edged his side up 9-6 with another kick after another holding-on penalty—this one was just a silly move by Lindenwood as they left a player isolated right in front of the posts and the forwards were slow to help him out.

Williams made an attempt from long range but missed, and then Crane attempted from 53 meters, and also missed. 

All drama near the end of the first half came when another long-range shot from Williams hit the post.

Life had one of their best chances for a try with some excellent vertical charges and a smart box kickthat was almost chased down. But Lindenwood held them at the line. Then Williams cut through on an excellent line and was almost over for the Lions. This time it was the Running Eagles who held.

Halftime - 9-6.

Weird Play

Life got the try they needed about two minutes into the second half. A nifty box kick from scrumhalf Ishma-eel Safodien ahead saw Life with several chasers and Lindenwood scrambling. What happened next remains unclear. Williams was able to grab the ball just before (it seems) the goal line. He was tackled by No. 8 Orrin Bizer as he grabbed said ball, and the ball appeared to jar loose. Did Williams touch it down? Maybe. Was it loose and Crane jumped on it for Life? Yes, although not for a certain try. Might Williams have been hit early (unlikely) or high (maybe …). 

What didn’t seem to be evident was any wrongdoing from Lindenwood, but the ultimate result was a penalty to Life, a lineout and, hooker Jacob Carlson scoring. With Crane’s conversion it was 16-9.

Had that instead been a goal line dropout, it’s likely Life would have continued to pressure, so ultimately this wasn’t a massive play, but it was a head-scratcher for observers.

Also of interest? Life didn’t score any further in the game.

A Bit Too Cute?

Lindenwood continued to play their way, and didn’t show too much impatience. They did, however, opt for the lineout instead of a kick at goal soon thereafter. Their maul looked in good shape to trundle over, but the Lindenwood forwards opted to peel off the back and try to score that way. They were stopped. Macy said “we had some tactical calls that were maybe a bit too cute,” and that was one of them.

Eventually, though, it happened for Lindenwood. A kick counter from fullback Shiven Dukhande tried to set wing Nick Hardrict free. Life had that covered but then a really solid series of forward carries into the middle of the field drew in the defense so that the next time Dukhande cut left there was space. Hardrict took the ball, made ground, drew the man, and fed it back inside the Dukhande for a superb score.

The game was now tied 16-16, and a Williams penalty moments later made it 19-16. Another penalty at 65 minutes (perhaps a bit harsh on Life in this instance) made it 22-16.

Scrambling

Then came Life’s chances to bring it all back. They took a lineout only to have the lineout sacked in expert fashion and leading to a truck-and-trailer infraction by the Running Eagles.

Then a poor pass from Lindenwood put them under pressure, led to that penalty and the tap move five meters from the goal line. 

Lindenwood held on, kicked clear (with reserve wing Jake Jacobsen making an excellent chase and open field tackle to keep Life back). And then an expertly-executed 50-22 from Williams set up a lineout, maul, and reserve hooker Kayleb O’Donoghue’s try to seal it.

All-in-all, it was a classic Mid-South rivalry game. Life will be ruing their inability to finish on three crucial scoring opportunities. Lindenwood will be pleased with their patience.

“What we needed to do was stop trying to force outcomes,” said Macy. “If we controlled field position and were safe with the ball and brought out defense, then the outcomes would take care of themselves. I think overall we were patient and smart and considering where we were a week ago I’ll take it.”

Players

The Woodlands HS program in Texas had a good showing in this game with Bizer monstrous for Life and scrumhalf Evan Conlon emerging as a real asset at the base of the scrum. Lindenwood captain Marnus Spangenberg was a force, and now that Macy has lifted one responsibility from him—lineout calls— and given that to flanker Cian Darling, he’s more free to to make plays.

Lindenwood flanker Clarence Ekoumé Biénès is one to watch.

Mid-South Standings	W	L	T	PF	PA	PD	BT	BL	PTS
Lindenwood	2	0	0	67	31	36	1	0	9
Life	2	1	0	63	51	12	0	0	8
Davenport	0	2	0	31	57	-26	0	1	1
Arkansas State	0	1	0	8	30	-22	0	0	0