April 3, 2004

BERKELEY, Calif. - In its final match before the playoffs begin, Cal went down fighting 58-18 to Southern California champion Cal Poly on Saturday, moving the Golden Bears to 10-3 on the season. Cal used this match to prepare its depth for the upcoming postseason single-elimination tournament. The Bears fielded a reserve team that was valiant but was on the back foot for much of the match.

Cal Poly drew first blood with a penalty in the first minute, but some savvy heads-up play from sophomores Chase Brogan and Brendan Wright allowed the Bears to pull ahead from a quick tap penalty. Wright ran from the mark and hit Brogan with a flat pass between two Mustang defenders. Brogan touched down between the posts, and freshman Pat Castles converted.

Despite some strong defensive efforts through multiple phases, the Bears were unable to stop the Mustangs' physical forward play, and Cal Poly ran in four tries, leaving the score at the intermission 25-7.

Unfortunately, the second half opened with two quick Mustang tries, but the Bears would not roll over as Castles answered back with two penalty kicks.

With about 10 minutes remaining in regulation, the Bears scored the try of the afternoon. A great break by freshman fullback Ryan Miller put the Bears deep in Cal Poly's end. After a series of pick and jams by the forwards, Castles ran to the short side and gave a crisp pass to Jacques Wilson that put the winger away in the corner for Cal's second try.

Cal Poly would score once more, but the young Bears were crafting a final opportunity of their own. A well-placed penalty kick gave Cal a choice attacking lineout deep on the Mustang's goalline, but it was not meant to be as the referee's whistle would end the match with a final score of Cal Poly 58, Cal 18.

Cal varsity coach Jack Clark was generally pleased with his young team's performance: "I'm somewhat encouraged by our performance. Cal Poly was a more physically mature team with a lot of 'go forward' in them, but we scrambled pretty well. Several of these players have earned early post season playing time."

This will be the last match for both teams before the USA Rugby National Collegiate Championship Round of 16 April 17-18. Cal Poly, as the No. 1 seed from Southern California, will travel to pool D in Colorado Springs, Colo., to play the Colorado or Texas A&M.

Cal will host pool C of the USA National Collegiate Championship Round of 16 at Witter Rugby Field April 17-18. The Bears, as the No. 1 seed from the Pacific Region, will play Bowling Green April 17 at 2 p.m. On the other side of the bracket, Midwest champion Purdue will take on North Carolina, the No. 1 seed from the South, at noon. On April 18, the consolation match will be at noon and the championship match will be at 2 p.m.

The Team:

15. Miller, 14. Wilson, 13. Gurecki, 12. Brogan, 11. Pieracci, 10. Castles, 9. Wright, 8. Biestman, (Tedesco, 67), 7. Welch, 6. Wallace, (Captain), 5. Jones, 4. Walker, 3. McDivitt, 2. Sehr, 1. McClenahan.

The Scoring:

Tries: Brogan, Wislon

Cons: Castles, (1)

Pens: Castles, (2)