March 17, 2002

BERKELEY, Calif. - In a controlled performance that featured a balanced scoring attack, the Cal varsity rugby squad (12-0) easily defeated the Washington Huskies, 81-6 in the championship match of the Canterbury of New Zealand Rugby Invitational at Witter Rugby Field in Berkeley.

Just three minutes into the game, the Bears stole the ball from a Washington lineout at the Huskies' own 22-meter line. Senior wing Eric Andersen capped the short drive off with his try to put the Bears up 5-0, giving the Bears a lead that they would never relinquish. With the Bears up 24-0, Washington was forced to the kicking game. At the 34-minute mark, the Huskies lined up for a penalty kick attempt only to miss it short. The Bears would roll into halftime with a 38-0 lead, sparked by one of the most impressive Cal tries of the day. Senior Mark Verlatti took the ball from his own 30 meter line, spinned around one Husky defender and juked another, capping off a 70 meter run for the try.

Washington finally got on the board with their 40-meter penalty goal, just seven minutes into the second stanza. But the game ultimately belonged to the Bears. After scoring 38 points in the first half, Cal matched the scoring output in the second half with 43 more points ... limiting the Huskies to only two penalty goals on the day. The highlight of the second half again belonged to Verlatti whose try was the result of some crisp passing from Andersen and Guest at midfield, giving the Bears a commanding 57-3 lead. Senior wing Kevin Ambrosini ended the game with his try at the whistle to give the Bears an 81-6 win.

"I was happy with our defense over the course of the weekend but we still have a ways to go in attack," said head coach Jack Clark. "We remain a little impatient, throwing way to many 50-50 passes."

In the consolation match of the Invitational Sunday morning, Norwich defeated Texas, 37-10.

Cal will travel to Chico State for their next match, Saturday, March 23 at 1:00 p.m. in Chico, CA.

             CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH:				  CONSOLATION MATCH:

	    1st Half	2nd Half     Final			   1st Half     2nd Half   Final
Washington	   0	       6	 6		Norwich          25	      12      37
Cal		  38	      43	81		Texas             5            5      10

Scoring:
3:00	CAL   - E. Andersen (try)
9:00 	CAL   - MacDonald (try) (Guest conversion)
15:00	CAL   - MacDonald (try) (Guest conversion)
31:00	CAL   - Schubert (try)
37:00	CAL   - Verlatti (try) (Guest conversion)
40:00	CAL   - Ambrosini (try) (Guest conversion)
Halftime: Cal - 38, Washington - 0
41:00	CAL   - Forney (try)
44:00	CAL   - Downes (try) (Guest conversion)
47:00 	UW    - (penalty kick)
52:00	CAL   - Verlatti (try) (Guest conversion)
56:00	UW    - (penalty kick)
58:00	CAL   - Waasdorp (try) (Guest conversion)
63:00	CAL   - Lindsey (try)
71:00	CAL   - Forney (try) (Orlando conversion)
79:00	CAL   - Ambrosini (try)
Final: Cal - 81, Washington - 6

Substitutions: 52nd minute, Erik Larsen in for Kort Schubert, 58th minute, Matt Viboch in for Matt Sherman, 63rd minute, Tony Vontz in for Mike MacDonald, 71st minute, James Orlando in for Dave Guest & Colin Wallace in for Josh Downes.

Cal Record: 12-0-0