This past Saturday, the Lindenwood Lions faced Davenport University in their final Midwest Conference fixture. Having already secured the title with a win over McKendree, the Lions looked to maintain momentum heading into the playoffs.

The match opened at a measured tempo, with both sides showing tactical discipline. Davenport applied early pressure, testing Lindenwood's composure. The breakthrough came in the 16th minute when Vincente Villella crossed for the opening try, with Byron Forword converting for a 7–0 lead. Davenport responded quickly, capitalizing on individual errors to level the score in the 19th minute. Their pressure continued, and by the 26th minute they added a second converted try to lead 14–7. Lindenwood regrouped and built momentum through sustained phases. In the 33rd minute, Byron Forword spotted space before Luke Schaefer broke the line, with Jack McAllister finding Tom Bishop in support to score. Forword converted to level the scores. The Lions closed the half strongly. In the 37th minute, Luke Schaefer added another try, converted by Forword, sending Lindenwood into halftime leading 21–14.

 At halftime, the Lions held a 21–14 lead after a slow start but responded well to gain tactical momentum. Davenport was pleased with their first-half performance and remained intent on applying pressure. David Scanlon and Byron Forword showed composure as they looked to take control of the second half.

The second half began with the Lions intent on taking control, and they delivered immediately. In the 48th minute, Tom Bishop crossed to open the half, with Byron Forword adding the conversion. The momentum surged as Neil Milczarek scored in the 51st minute, followed by another from Forword in the 56th, slicing through the defense and converting his own try. Michael Daly added to the tally in the 63rd minute, and debutant Tyresse Prescod marked his arrival with a try in the 66th, both converted by Forword. Tom Bishop completed his hat-trick in the 74th minute, again converted. Davenport responded late with a consolation try, but Vicente Villela sealed the result in the 79th minute with his second of the day, Forword remaining flawless from the tee. The Lions closed out a dominant 70–19 victory.
 
Players Quote:
Playing against Davenport always poses a tough challenge. The boys started off slow but once we found our rhythm we started playing bat our own pace and tempo. Overall, I think the boys put in a solid shift despite the tough conditions. It's a step in the right direction on our journey to the playoffs. 

• Vice-Captain Byron Forword

 
Coaches Quote: 
It was great to see the boys bounce back when the first half did not go as planned. They came out swinging in the second half after some honest conversations at half time. Some good tactical kicking and for poles this weekend played a big part in flipping the field and putting us on the front foot.

• Kicking Coach Stephen Duff

Davenport Score summary: 
16' Lindenwood Try Vincente Villela 5-0
16' Lindenwood Conversion Byron Forword 7-0
19' Davenport Try 7-5
19' Davenport Conversion 7-7
26' Davenport Try 7-12
26' Davenport Conversion 7-14
33' Lindenwood Try Tom Bishop 12-14
33' Lindenwood Conversion Byron Forword 14-14
37' Lindenwood Try Luke Schaefer 19-14
37' Lindenwood Conversion Byron Forword 21-14
48' Lindenwood Try Tom Bishop 26-14
48' Lindenwood Conversion Byron Forword 28-14
51' Lindenwood Try Neil Milczarek 33-14
51' Lindenwood Conversion Byron Forword 35-14
56' Lindenwood Try Byron Forword 40-14
56' Lindenwood Conversion Byron Forword 42-14
63' Lindenwood Try Michael Daly 47-14
63' Lindenwood Conversion Byron Forword 49-14
66' Lindenwood Try Tyrese Prescod 54-14
66' Lindenwood Conversion Byron Forword 56-14
74' Lindenwood Try Tom Bishop 61-14
74' Lindenwood Conversion Byron Forword 63-14
76' Davenport Try 63-19
79' Lindenwood Try Vincente Villela 68-19
79' Lindenwood Conversion Byron Forword 70-19
 

	1st Team vs Davenport
NO.
1	Keiran	Holland
2	MArk	Barbour
3	Luke	Schaefer
4	Neil	Milczarek
5	David	Scanlon
6	Caleb	Murphy
7	Riley	Richardson-Mould
8	Tom	Bishop
9	Jack	McAllister
10	Byron	Forword
11	Kobe	Millar
12	Cole	Scharffenorth
13	Vincente	Villela
14	Jacob	Martin
15	James	Birley
16	Jaydyn	Bartels (60')
17	Asher	Webb (51')
18	Emmett	Bock (74')
19	Michael	Daly (63')
20	Shaun	Ndowa (59')
21	Nayan	Sirwani (60')
22	Aiden	Kalmar (62')
23	Tyresse	Prescod (63')

What next: 
The Lions build on their momentum as they prepared for an annual fixture against the Chicago Hounds. Traveling to Chicago on March 28^th at Seek Geek Stadium, the matchup served as a key preparation opportunity while continuing to strengthen the relationship between the two Midwest sides and support the growth of the game in the region.