March 11, 2006

PALO ALTO, Calif. - Lock Jake Stanfill returned to the starting lineup for the Bears on Saturday to serve as match-day captain for an almost completely overhauled Cal side, which successfully defended the Scrum Axe with a 67-12 win over Stanford at Steuber Rugby Field.

Twelve reserve-grade members got the call-up to join the first XV, with three starters trying new positions to significantly change Cal's look from the previous week vs. NYAC. The Bears often had trouble finding their groove against a spirited Cardinal side, but perseverance paid off as the Golden Bears overcame their own shortcomings as well as Stanford's admirable effort to exit the Farm with the Scrum Axe remaining safely in their paws.

Stanfill announced his return early on by breaking tackles as a runner and tracking down Cardinal ball-carriers to show that his surgically repaired right knee is back to 100 percent. His commanding presence helped temper the lack of cohesion shown by the Bears in spite of their ability to stay ahead.

"It felt good to get in a full 80 minutes, but our effort level was low," Stanfill said.

The Cardinal found some success probing Cal deep with kicks and the occasional burst from midfield; nevertheless, the Bears were able to ward off any whiff of an upset by staying on course and piling up points on multi-phase marches and fast-acting counter-attacks. Seven different Bears scored tries, with four students -- wing Jason Lee, flyhalf David Poettcker, inside center Austin Pugh and #8 Ross Biestman -- notching two apiece.

Scrumhalf Zak Triplett did well to keep the ball moving to promote better rhythm for the Bears. When his service led to several scores in the corners, the junior was also able to make some difficult conversions for good measure.

"Our defense definitely needs some work, especially in broken play," Triplett said. "But I'm feeling really good striking the ball, especially on these warm, dry days. Where I'm from, it's usually a bit more rainy, cold and windy."

Also unusual on Saturday was the positioning of Chris Biller at prop rather than hooker together with Joe Welch at hooker rather than flanker. David Poettcker also moved back to his natural position of flyhalf after filling in at fullback for a few weeks. The reshuffling up front may be in preparation for the imminent return of All-American open-side flanker Rikus Pretorius, whose spot has been filled so well by Welch thus far in 2006.

All tinkering aside, the Bears had to pull themselves together after a lackluster first half against Stanford, and to some extent, they did.

Bears head coach Jack Clark's Cardinal counterpart, Jonathan Griffin, was pleased with Stanford's performance. "I'm over the moon," he said. "This is the best rugby we've played for 80 minutes since I've been here, but it just goes to show how strong Cal is."

In the reserve-grade match following the first XV, Cal defeated Stanford by the score of 116-0.

Now 13-0, the Bears get back to business on Tuesday evening with a 7 p.m. match at home vs. UC Santa Cruz, followed on the weekend by the Cal Invitational tournament, featuring Colorado, New Mexico and Cal Poly - SLO.

The Scoring Timeline vs. Stanford:

03:00 Ron Yokubaitis 5, Zak Triplett 2

15:00 Stanford 5, 2

17:00 Paul Jesseman 5

24:00 Dorian Pieracci 5

34:00 Austin Pugh 5, Zak Triplett 2

Half Time: California 24, Stanford 7

43:00 Ross Biestman 5, Zak Triplett 2

48:00 David Poettcker 5

52:00 Austin Pugh 5

54:00 Stanford 5

60:00 David Poettcker 5, Zak Triplett 2

64:00 Jason Lee 5, Zak Triplett 2

72:00 Jason Lee 5

78:00 Ross Biestman 5, David Poettcker 2

Final Score: California 67, Stanford 12

The Team vs. Stanford

15. Taylor (Gurecki @ 15:00, Weedon @ 57:00, Gurecki @ 63:00), 14. Lee, 13. Yokubaitis, 12. Pugh, 11. Pieracci, 10. Poettcker, 9. Triplett (Johnson @ 65:00), 1. Wilhelmy (Kuhns @ 53:00, Barrett @ 65:00), 2. Welch (Kuhns @ 65:00 ), 3. Biller, 4. J Stanfill ©, 5. Jesseman, 6. T Smith, 7. Sehr, 8. Biestman