Feb. 21, 2004

BERKELEY, Calif. - The University of British Columbia Thunderbirds held off a last-second onslaught by the Cal varsity rugby team to win the first match of the series, 18-14, before a capacity crowd at Witter Rugby Field. The T-Birds are currently 10-2 at the top of the standings of the senior men's club competition in Vancouver.

The Bears were without starters Cale Garamendi, Kyle Khasigian, and Joe Welch. Andy Hanks was available in reserve and Joel DiGiorgio passed a late fitness test to get his first start of the season at halfback. Cal was in it to the end but could just not seal the dea, despite the bullocking runs of Mike MacDonald and Ryan Donnelly, who were both outstanding on the day.

The varsity had a chance to draw first blood after the Canadians were penalized just outside their 22. Blair's kick ricocheted of the upright resulting in a 22-meter drop out. Just 10 minutes later, UBC had the same opportunity with a similar result as the ball sailed wide.

Finally after 30 minutes of probing attacks from both sides, UBC got on the scoreboard with an attack on the short side of a ruck. Cal answered back two minutes later after several phases of pressure -- Weedon found MacDonald out in space, MacDonald occupied a couple defenders and sent Gurecki through the gap, and Blair's conversion tied the score at seven apiece at the intermission.

Moments into the second half, UBC touched down after several phases following a Cal knock on; UBC missed the conversion. Ten minutes later, Cal was penalized near their line for offside. This time the Canadian kicker made right on his attempt, bringing the score to Cal 7, UBC 15, going into the final quarter of play.

The Bears battled back with five minutes left in regulation and were finally rewarded for their continued pressure with a lineout just off the Birds' line. A clean take by Marc Tausend allowed Cal skipper MacDonald to rumble over for the try. Blair's conversion was true, giving the Canadians a one-point lead at 15-14.

In the 78th minute, the varsity was one pass away from victory when a UBC turnover created an overlap out wide. Unfortunately, Cal's pass was off target, and the Canadians recovered the ball.

The match ended with the Birds awarded a penalty deep in Cal's half. The kick was accurate to seal the win, 18-14.

"We played well in patches, but to win a match like this, more consistency is required," Cal varsity rugby coach Jack Clark said. "We need massive improvement in our in-contact skills. We were not efficient or aggressive enough in the tackle. UBC was the better team today, but maybe not out of our reach for March."

The Bears will travel to Reno to take on the University of Nevada-Reno this Saturday, Feb. 28.

Cal Scoring:

Tries:

Gurecki, MacDonald

Cons:

Blair (2)

The Team: 15. Blair, 14. Pieracci, (Hanks, 60), 13.Gurecki,12.Donnelly, 11. Johnson, (Hanks, 26-34), 10. Weedon, 9. DiGiorgio, 8. Lindsey, 7. Sehr, 6. Boggs, (Burruell, 50-55, 60), 5. Stanfill, 4. Tausend, 3. MacDonald (Captain), 2. Vontz, 1. McClenahan, (Dorosti, 60)