April 29, 2005

STANFORD, Calif. - The University of California Varsity Rugby team secured its spot in the Final of the National Collegiate Championship by defeating the United States Naval Academy 50-6 before a Friday afternoon crowd at Steuber Rugby Ground on the Stanford University campus. Tomorrow at 4:00 p.m. Cal will face the University of Utah, which defeated state rivals the Cougars of BYU, 31-27.

The Bears' lineup was mostly a first-grade side with only three changes expected for tomorrow's match. Six Cal players would touch down with front rowers Tony Vontz and Brian McClenahan each scoring a brace.

The Midshipmen, always a tough and powerful outfit, dominated the opening exchanges, as for 10 minutes Cal could do little to get out of its own 22. However a missed Navy touch kick set up Cal's first try. Rob Weedon recovered the ball and raced 40 meters into Navy territory. A quick pass through Cyrus Dorosti's hands set up the "fall over" try for All-American Skipper Tony Vontz.

The match featured plenty of back and forth action as both teams struggled to gain ascendancy. Several phases played near the Navy line allowed Louis Stanfill to pick up a ball at the base of a ruck and power over. Vontz's second try was scored from a line out in close to which Navy replied with a penalty kick. McClenahan drove a line out over for his first, to bring Cal's score to 22. Navy kicked its second penalty at the death of the first half to leave the score, California 22, Navy 6.

The Bears' scored consecutive tries in the second half from scrums in the middle of the field. Chase Brogan stepped a couple of defenders after taking a pass from Rob Weedon running to the right, then minutes later Joel DiGiorgio took a short ball and scampered over to increase the Bears' lead to 36.

The try of the match was Prop McClenahan's second. Navy was on the attack in Cal's half. Facing two Navy attackers, McClenahan played both men as long as he could forcing the pass and then with the quickness more akin to a winger swooped in for the interception, racing 60 meters unmolested to bring the lead to 48-6. Gurecki's conversion left the final score, California 50, Navy 6.

"We are certainly happy to win and advance to the title match. We were out of rhythm most of the match, probably due to Navy's physicality. We are very impressed with Utah, they are lightning fast. They play the game open and adventurous. It will take our very best to defeat them," commented Cal Varsity Rugby Head Coach Jack Clark.

Scoring Timeline:

10:00 Tony Vontz 5

17:00 Louis Stanfill 5, Andrew Blair 2

22:00 Tony Vontz 5

25:00 Navy Penalty Kick 3

33:00 Brian McClenahan 5

39:00 Navy Penalty Kick 3

Half Time: California 22, Navy 6

45:00 Chase Brogan 5, Andrew Blair 2

54:00 Joel DiGiorgio 5, Andrew Blair 2

70:00 Rob Weedon 5, Chris Gurecki 2

74:00 Brian McClenahan 5, Chris Gurecki 2

Final Score: California 50, Navy 6

The Team:

15. Blair, (Kidd, 67), 14. Hanks, (Lee, 67-77), 13. Gurecki, 12. Brogan 11. O'Brien 10. Weedon, (Yokubaitis, 72), 9. DiGiorgio, 1. McClenahan, (Khloberdanz, 76), 2. Vontz©, (Kroll, 72), 3. Dorosti, (Biller, 67), 4. Jesseman, 5. Stanfill, (Walker, 67), 6. Welch, (Grinter, 6-17), 7. Pretorius, 8. Lindsey, (Tedesco, 67).