Feb. 5, 2005

BERKELEY - The University of California Varsity Rugby team came away from their first road match 63-11 victors over a very physical Chico State team. Daniel Grinter, Rikus Pretorius, Chase Brogan and Pat Castles all had two tries apiece.

The Bears fielded 5 changes from the team that defeated the University of Nevada Reno. In the forwards James Sehr came into the front row for, senior All American Hooker and Captain, Tony Vontz while in the "engine room" Miles Jones stepped into the number 4 jersey to partner with, captain on the day, Jake Stanfill. In the backs the Wright brothers; Brendan and Devin, got the nod at scrumhalf and inside center respectively, and finally Chase Brogan played fullback for Andrew Blair who had the weekend off.

The Bears had the lion share of possession throughout the day and the forwards continue to excersise dominance at the line of touch. However, despite being on the back foot for most of the match the physicality of the Chico team was impressive especially in the opening exchanges.

The Wildcats' fly half opened the scoring with a penalty kick 5 minutes into the match. Daniel Grinter replied for the Bears off of a Pat Castles' miss pass after several phases near the Wildcats' line. Moments later the Cal pack went to work driving a maul over from a line out for James Sehr to score.

Chase Brogan scored courtesy of some good handling and a knifing insertion through the State defense. Rikus Pretorius touched down from a ruck at the line and just moments later Chico State's number 10 answered back once again with a penalty to bring their tally to 6. The Varsity's riposte was via Rob Weedon who took a ball from Pat Castles on the angle to score between the posts. The half finished with a Pat Castles' penalty to leave the score Cal 32, Chico 6.

Following the intermission, Rikus Pretorius visited the Wildcats' end goal for the second time after a blocked kick wound up in his hands just 10 meters out. An errant kick from the Bears' created a try for Chico State but that is the last they would be heard from. Pat Castles came right back by ducking under the defense via some elusive running to take any wind out of a State comeback. Grinter and Brogan scored their second try each only minutes apart as the Varsity rolled on. The last try of the afternoon was for Castles, who had created so many tries on the day. Castles took a nice counter attack ball from halfback partner Brendan Wright to make the final the Varsity 63, Chico State 11.

Cal is on the road again. This week they visit the state Capital to take on the Hornets of Sacramento State on Friday February 11. Kick off is at 1:00PM. The Varsity will return home to Witter Rugby Field on Wednesday February 16 for the first leg of the home and away series against the University of British Columbia, kick off is 3:30PM.

The Scoring:

Tries: Grinter(2), Brogan(2), Castles(2), Pretorius(2), Weedon, Sehr

Cons: Castles(5)

Pens: Castles

The Team:

15. Brogan, 14. Hanks, 13. Weedon, (Gurecki, 60), 12. D. Wright, 11. Kidd, 10. Castles, (Gurecki, 17-27), 9. B. Wright, 1. McClenahan, 2. Sehr, 3. Walker, 4. Jones, 5. J. Stanfill©, 6. Grinter, 7. Pretorius, (Welch, 72), 8. Lindsey.

In the reserve grade match Cal defeated Chico State 70-3.