Feb. 20, 2005

COLLEGE STATION, Texas - The University of California rugby team defeated the Aggies of Texas A&M 61-8. The Bears fielded a largely reserve grade side coming off the memorable home leg victory, Wednesday, over Canadian rival the University of British Columbia, 15-5.

The Cal team provided very few crisp moments to the match. The event will generally be remembered for some particularly ordinary play from the visitors. Cal's first try was from a line out near the Aggies goal line. The Bears executed a clean catch and drive to go over for the score.

Three minutes later Sophomore Ryan Miller chased down a ball Pat Castles kicked into the open space behind the Aggie defenders to score the Bears' second try, the first of Miller's two on the afternoon. Chris Gurecki converted the try to pull Cal 12 points clear.

Freshman Chris Biller then scored from broken play; when he scooped a loose ball off the ground and bullied over the line, which Gurecki converted. A Cal infraction just minutes later allowed the Aggies to kick a penalty to put their first three points on the board.

With ten minutes to go in the half Chase Brogan scored a try, the first of three, after the back row ran right from a scrum on the left hand side of the field. Sophomore Ross Biestman's drive with the ball created an overlap out wide for the backs to capitalize on. Brogan's touchdown was converted by Gurecki.

Texas A&M was rewarded for some pressure late in the half to score a try from a ruck down near the Bear's goal line. A&M's try left the score at the half Cal 26, Texas A&M 8.

Five minutes into the second half, Brogan scored his second, following another scrum from which the forwards struck the first blow. Biestman's run from the base of the scrum damaged the Aggie midfield and created another overlap for the Cal backs out wide. Gurecki again converted. Brogan's third try came off some clever back line play from Gurecki, who executed a pass and loop to condense the defense and allow Brogan to score. The next Bear try was also from the Cal backs as freshman replacement, and Texas native, Ron Yokubaitis was the recipient of some slick handling out wide to score.

The Bears scored two trys in the last three minutes both from broken play. Brendan Wright picked up a loose ball to go over the line. Soon after, Miller scored his second after the Bears' defense forced a turnover that was moved wide for Miller to touch down. Yokubaitis converted both to leave the final score line Cal 61, A&M 8.

The Scoring:

Tries: Biller (2), Miller (2), Brogan (3), Yokubaitis, Wright

Cons: Gurecki (6), Yokubaitis (3)

Pens:

The Team:

15. Brogan, 14. Miller, 13. Gurecki, (Yokubaitis, 50), 12. D. Wright, 11. O'Brien, 10. Castles,(Anderson, 50), 9. B. Wright, 1. Kloberdanz, 2. Biller, 3. Kroll, 4. Walker, 5. Jones, 6. Sehr © 7. Welch, 8. Biestman.

In the reserve grade match Cal defeated A&M 43-14.