Feb. 24, 2001

Berkeley, CA - It was an ugly day and so the rugby was nothing pretty, but the Cal Varsity team recorded a 36-0 victory over CSU Sacramento, Saturday.

A steady rain moved sideways thanks to a sharp northerly wind so handling and kicking were next to impossible on the Sac State field. Still, the Bears drove in six tries in a victory that also confirmed them as the No. 1 seeds from the Pacific Coast region come play-off time.

"The conditions dictated that we keep it tight, and that's what we did," said head coach Jack Clark. "I thought we kept our errors to a minimum and played good defense, as well as directional wind tactics."

It was cold enough that players hands were numb. Add to that a wet ball, and it made passing next to impossible. The Cal team responded with a good deal of pick and jam play. The result was two tries each for loose forward Kort Schubert and prop Mike MacDonald.

Perhaps the most significant consequence of the match was the primacy it gives Cal for the national championship playoffs. The Bears' league record makes them the region's top ranked team and they'll host one bracket of the national collegiate championship `Sweet 16' in April.

The Cal second side also won 37-0.

First Half Cal 17 Sacramento 0

Second Half Cal 19 Sacramento 0

Final Cal 36 Sacramento 0

Scoring First Half: Andy Armstrong try & John Buchholz conversion, 4th minute, Kort Schubert, 27th min., Mike MacDonald try, 40th min.

Second Half: Schubert try & Buchholz conv., 43rd min., Cameron Bunce try, 60th min., MacDonald try & Buchholz conv., 68th min.

Cal Record: 6-1-0