After stumbling the previous two matches, men's rugby rebounded with a 40-10 victory over Davenport Saturday night at Hunter Stadium in St. Charles, Missouri. With the win, Lindenwood improved to 4-0 in the Midwest Rugby Conference (MRC). Six different Lions scored tries and Byron Forword converted two penalty kicks.
 
How it Happened:
After trading position with the Panthers several times in the early stages, Lindenwood meticulously worked the ball down close to the opposing goal line in the 12^th minute. Chad Tinney found a crease in the defense and worked his way over for the try to give the Lions a 5-0 lead. Forword extended the advantage to 8-0 when he converted his first penalty kick in the 29^th minute.
 
There was a flurry of scoring in the final minutes of the opening half. After Davenport countered with a try in the 34^th minute, Forword was good on his second penalty kick two minutes later to make it 11-5 Lindenwood.
 
The Lions took possession again moments later with Forword sending a clearing kick out of his end. David Cathcart sprinted after it and with the ball on the ground, continued the play by kicking it from the floor. The ball rolled into the try zone with Cathcart outpacing the Davenport defense to fall on it for the score and a 16-5 Lindenwood advantage, but there were more points before the break.
 
With no time left on the clock, the Panthers had a lineout 15 meters away and scored in the corner to cut their deficit to 16-10.
 
The Lions pulled away in the second half with four more tries. The first came from Eduan van Heerdan when he picked up the ball at the goal line and swam over the defense in the 43^rd minute. Forword slotted the conversion for a 23-10 lead.
 
In the 50^th minute, Bautista Nasta found himself isolated on the edge with one defender. He made quick work of the opposing wing and raced in the corner to increase the margin to 28-10.
 
With 18 minutes remaining, Lindenwood again worked possession close to the try line. Asher Webb then used his physical advantages to power over for five points. Another Forword conversion made it 35-10.
 
The Lions capped off the win in the 75^th minute when Forword connected with Jared de Jager on a cross field kick. The wing was able to use his speed to get behind the defense and touch the ball down before it rolled out. With that try, Lindenwood led 40-10 which proved to be the final score.
 
Player Quotes:
 
David Scanlon: "The message all week leading up to the game was lean and mean. With the physicality and intensity that we displayed, I believe we showed exactly what we worked towards."
 
David Cathcart: "In training we emphasized not letting our foot off the gas and playing until the final whistle. In our first home match of the semester, it was nice to have that hard work pay off."
 
What's Next?
Lindenwood travels to Ellensburg, Washington to face Central Washington in a non-conference battle March 19. The opening kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. CDT that Tuesday at Tominson Stadium.
 
Scoring Summary: 
12' Lindenwood Try Chad Tinney 5-0
29' Lindenwood Penalty Kick 8-0
34' Davenport Try 8-5
36' Lindenwood Penalty Kick 11-5
39' Lindenwood Try David Cathcart 16-5
40' Davenport Try 16-10
43' Lindenwood Try Eduan van Heerden 21-10
44' Lindenwood Conversion Byron Forward 23-10
50' Lindenwood Try Bautista Nasta 28-10
62' Lindenwood Try Asher Webb 33-10
62' Lindenwood Conversion Byron Forword 35-10
75' Lindenwood Try Jared de Jager 40-10
 
Lineup:

1. Asher Webb
2. Christopher Wallace
3. Connor Devos
4. David Scanlon
5. Alejandro Martinez Tapia
6. Duncan Krige
7. Calvin Ihrig
8. Eduan van Heerden
9. Jeremy Zwick
10. Byron Forword
11. David Cathcart
12. Declan Ries
13. Stephin Alberts
14. Bautista Nasta
15. Jared de Jager
16. Mark Barbour
17. Asher Webb
18. Johannes Greyling
19. Le'Donn Mathis
20. Jack Johnson
21. Cole Scharffenorth
22. Jack McAllister
23. Emanuele Tani