April 30, 2005

PALO ALTO - On an overcast Saturday afternoon a capacity crowd at the Steuber Rugby Ground were treated to an entertaining hard fought match between two enterprising rugby teams, at stake was the National Collegiate Championship. The University of California Rugby team won its 21st National Title defeating the University of Utah 44-7.

Today's lineup featured 4 changes from the team that defeated Navy 50-6 in the Semifinal. In the forwards; Miles Jones replaced freshman Paul Jesseman in the "engine room" and Daniel Grinter took over the number 6 jersey for Joe Welch. In the backs Ryan Donnelley returned to inside center moving Chase Brogan out to number 13. Finally freshman Scott Kidd got the start at wing, wearing number 11.

The match was played at a frenetic "break neck" pace. Utah's dangerous back division would attack from anywhere on the field. Anytime they touched the ball the Cal faithful watched with bated breath but the Cal defensive line was unbreakable. The Utes struggled to maintain possession through several phases of play as too often the Bears back row of Pretorius, Grinter and Lindsey would overwhelm them at the breakdown.

In the end, the Bears controlled possession and field position. The Cal forwards controlled the line of touch and Andrew Blair and Rob Weedon kicked to space with devastating effect, making Utah pay dearly for missed placed kicks and turnovers.

All-American Skipper and graduating Senior Tony Vontz, was named the Tournament MVP, and it was none other than Vontz who scored the first try of the match. It was vintage Cal Rugby. A lineout in close; "big" Louis Stanfill took the ball clean, All-American Cyrus Dorosti provided the initial drive and Tony Vontz carried it over the line, with Blair's conversion the Bears were up by 7.

Varsity Rugby Head Coach Jack Clark commented on his senior captain; How about Tony Vontz. Brilliantly lead your team to a National Championship, get chaired from the field on the shoulders of your teammates and graduate in a couple of weeks from the finest public university in the world. Not a bad chapter in a young mans life."

Utah's Blake Burdett, a member of the undefeated Utah football team, capitalized on some pressure deep in Cal territory to crash over the line for their only try. Andy Hanks replied with a try in the corner thanks to a well timed pass from Andrew Blair. Just before the intermission Cyrus Dorosti put some power running on display to score after taking a short pass from fellow All-American Joel DiGiorgio to leave the score at the half California 24, Utah 7.

The second half began with a Blair penalty, his second, and then Rob Weedon exposed some Utah defensive indecision to touchdown followed by a second Vontz try from a lineout drive. It was all Cal in the final quarter of play, the match ending with Brian McClenahan scoring a try and displaying his wing-like speed for the second day in a row. Weedon chipped through and McClenhan outpaced a Utah defender to score in the corner, Blair's conversion made the final score; California 44, Utah 7.

"I thought Utah was fantastic. I love the way they play; fast, skilled and dangerous. In broken play they were the better team. We needed a game plan that put a lot of shape and form to the match and our players were magnificent in their application", said Coach Clark.

The Scoring Timeline:

8:00 Tony Vontz 5, Andrew Blair 2

12:00 Andrew Blair 3

18:00 Utah 5, 2

27:00 Andy Hanks 5, Andrew Blair 2

36:00 Cyrus Dorosti 5, Andrew Blair 2

Halftime Score: California 24, Utah 7

47:00 Andrew Blair 3

52:00 Robert Weedon 5

68:00 Tony Vontz 5

81:00 Brian McClenahan 5, Andrew Blair 2

Final Score: California 44, Utah 7

The Team:

15. Blair, 14. Hanks, 13. Brogan, 12. Donnelly 11. Kidd, (Kelly, 75), 10. Weedon, 9. DiGiorgio, (Johnson, 75), 1. McClenahan, 2. Vontz©, 3. Dorosti, (Biller, 78), 4. Jones, (LaBounty, 78), 5. Stanfill, 6. Grinter, 7. Pretorius, (Tedesco, 74), 8. Lindsey.