Jan. 22, 2005

BERKELEY - The Cal Varsity (3-0) was a 58-10 winner over the Gaels of Saint Mary's. Powerful running from Andrew Blair and Andy Hanks combined with the Cal forwards' dominance at the line of touch allowed for what was largely a one-sided affair. With that said, the Golden Bears would not be happy with leaking in two tries with less than five minutes remaining in regulation.

Blair, who had 23 points on the day, touched down first from a scrum center in the first minute of play. Joel DiGiorgio ran right and sent Blair into space. With a good second effort the Varsity had five points. Blair also made the conversion.

The next try was off a blocked kick, recovering the ball; Pat Castles sent the ball wide to Hanks, who went over for the first of two on the day. The forwards finally got in on the action from a lineout in close, as Rikus Pretorius went over off the end of the lineout carrying a couple of Gael defenders with him. Blair made the conversion.

The next two tries came from Rob Weedon about 10 minutes apart. The first was from a well-timed back line move close in. The second was in broken play after about seven phases of rugby the Varsity had the overlap and Ryan Donnelly unselfishly sent his center partner over for Weedon's second. Blair converted both leaving the halftime score Cal 36, St. Mary's 0.

Blair kicked a penalty five minutes into the second half to add three to the tally. Cal had all the momentum, and shortly after DiGiorgio dived over from the base of a ruck. Blair converted.

The best try of the afternoon came off continuous Saint Mary's pressure down near the Cal goal line. After several phases of heroic defense, DiGiorgio stole the ball and emerged down the far side line. DiGiorgio found Weedon streaking down the middle of the field, and Weedon quickly passed the ball to Hanks for a 99-yard coast-to-coast try. Blair made the conversion.

With about 10 minutes on the clock, the forwards drove in a lineout. Brian McClenahan had the ball when the dust cleared to take the Varsity's total to 58. Unfortunately the Bears took their foot off the gas and Saint Mary's was able to score from a Cal knock on deep in its own half, followed by another moments later from a ruck in close leaving the final Cal 58, Saint Mary's 10.

"The team should be pleased with that performance. There was marked improvement from our first outing a week ago," said Cal Varsity coach Jack Clark.

This Wednesday Jan. 26, Cal will play Santa Clara. Kick-off is at 7 p.m.

The Scoring:

Tries: Blair, Hanks (2), Pretorius, Weedon (2), DiGiorgio, McClenahan

Cons: Blair (6)

Pens: Blair (2)

The Team:

15. Blair (Brogan, 60), 14. Hanks, 13. Weedon, 12. Donnelly, 11. Kidd, 10. Castles, 9. DiGiorgio ( Johnson, 63), 1. Dorosti, 2. Vontz©, 3. McClenahan, 4. L. Stanfill, 5. J.Stanfill, 6. Grinter, 7. Pretorius, 8. Lindsey

In the reserve-grade match, Cal defeated Saint Mary's 69-0.