BERKELEY – With nine frosh-sophs starting, including six sophomores and a freshman among the forwards, and 14 underclassmen on the pitch by game's end, California tallied nine tries to defeat California Maritime Academy, 62-16, Wednesday night on Witter Rugby Field.
The Golden Bears (10-1, 3-0 PAC) got two tries apiece from Jake Goena and Aidan Flynn, Jamie Howells added a try to his four conversions (4-of-5) and his replacement, Matthew Coyle, hit 3-of-4 conversions to pace the Blue and Gold.
“It was a great chance to get out there on Witter Rugby Field for the first time with the varsity side,” said Goena of his first nod as a member of the Starting XV on his home pitch. “There's something special about being at home."
The Keelhaulers ( 5-3) got their points off three penalties by Michael Mukuru followed by an interception try from Codi Jones that was converted by Chad Mensinger in the 60th minute. Cal Maritime managed to hold the Bears scoreless for 28 minutes in the second half after entering the break down 36-3.
“After we played through some adversity early in the second half, the reserves came in and did a good job playing some good rugby,” said Howells, the match-night captain, of the Bears' response to Keelhauler pressure. “That's good for our team.”
"I thought the Keelhaulers were very good at times," Cal head coach Jack Clark said. "Two things jump out: they like playing for each other and they're a well-coached team."
“Cal is very disciplined,” said Keelhaulers head coach Steve Hiatt, a former Cal All-American and U.S. National Team player in both 15s and 7s who has led his team to the postseason three of the past four years in the National Small College Rugby Organization. “They always take every single moment and try to execute to their highest ability.”
Of his perspective as a former player and now a coach who will return to Strawberry Canyon this weekend for the Rugby Bears' Homecoming, Hiatt added, “We're not out here just for points on the scoreboard. We're out here trying to teach lessons, trying to learn lessons. This weekend will be great to come back as an alumnus. I'm really looking forward to seeing a lot of my teammates, celebrating some great teams and camaraderie.”
Cal will now focus fully on its next match, a special occasion to welcome generations of former players, families and friends to Witter Rugby Field this weekend when the Bears celebrate Homecoming against Utah on Saturday, Feb. 28, at 1 p.m.
Gates open at 10:30 a.m. for the 11 a.m. curtain raiser between Jesuit High School and Lamorinda Youth Rugby Club before the Bears and Utes (5-2, 1-0 PAC) take the pitch to continue their PAC Rugby rivalry with a weather forecast of sunny skies and temperatures expected in the 60s.
Tickets for Cal students, current military personnel and all youth under 12 are free; groups of 10 or more are $3 each; adults are $10 each; and youth ages 12-19, as well as seniors 65 and over, are $5 apiece. A recently opened parking lot on Gayley Road, across from Haas Business School about 100 yards south of the intersection of Stadium Rim Way, offers additional parking in addition to limited spaces at Witter Rugby Field.
The Scoring Timeline vs. Cal Maritime
04:00 Eakalafi Okusi 5, Jamie Howells 2
10:00 Jamie Howells 3
12:00 John Goena 5
17:00 Jamie Howells 5, 2
26:00 Eakalafi Okusi 5, Jamie Howells 2
29:00 Karl Thornton 5, Jamie Howells 2
37:00 Cal Maritime (Michael Mukuru) 3
Halftime Score: California 36, California Maritime 3
43:00 Cal Maritime (Michael Mukuru) 3
51:00 Cal Maritime (Michael Mukuru) 3
60:00 Cal Maritime (Codi Jones) 5, (Chad Mensinger) 2
68:00 Jake Goena 5
74:00 Beau Hershberger 5, Matthew Coyle 2
78:00 Aidan Flynn 5, Matthew Coyle 2
80:00 Aidan Flynn 5, Matthew Coyle 2
Final Score: California 61, Cal Maritime 16
The Team vs. Cal Maritime
15. Thornton,14. Goena, 13, Todd (Whiting @ 53:00), 12. Okusi (Flynn @32:00), 11. Dunne (Libarle @44:00), 10. Howells (Coyle @ 67:00), 9. Chipman (Goodwin @ 40:00), 1. Sullivan, 2. Haynes, 3. Baylor, 4. Damas, 5. Zerbino, 6. F. Le Merle (Hershberger @ 67:00), 7. Spradling, 8. Gaffney (F. Le Merle @ 53:00)
