BERKELEY – In their 99th year of facing one another, California rugby defeated British Columbia by the score of 36-21 at Witter Rugby Field.
 
"It was a brave performance from our boys," said head coach Jack Clark. "I admire the resolve they displayed. It's a performance in which we can build. Next step is a different starting XV getting an opportunity to represent us on the return leg. We are committed to spreading these starting minutes within the whole of the team."
 
The Bears got on the board first with a try from senior inside center Keanu Andrade and a conversion from freshman fullback Max Schumacher in the 10th minute. However, UBC returned the favor with a try of their own at the 14 minute mark to knot the score at 7-7. From there, Cal managed to score a converted try from Andrade and Schumacher and the Bears never trailed from that point.
 
Schumacher and senior tight head prop Damon Wiley added another pair of tries to Cal's side in the second half to make it 31-7. Cal won a lineout in the 48th minute and then drove into the try zone, but the Bears knocked on to prevent what would have been a 29-point advantage. UBC hung around and scored a pair of tries in 60th and 64th minutes which made it a 10-point game. However, Cal managed to finish strong with a try from senior lock Sebastian Bader with four minutes to play.
 
"We had good intensity coming into the game today," said Schumacher. "We finished our tries and managed the ball well in their own 22. We started to lose a bit of shape within the last 20 minutes of the game, but we continued to build the pressure again which helped us finish the game."
 
Senior captain Thomas Spradling also remarked on the Bears' ability to maintain a quick pace throughout which aided their efforts.
 
"We knew today was going to be a tough and physical game," said Spradling. "Our game plan was to move the ball and play quickly which led to some early tries and gave us the front foot. Playing the Thunderbirds is a great tradition which is not only relatable to us, but all of the guys who played before us."
 
Cal will get another look at British Columbia next weekend when the Bears head to Vancouver, Canada for the final leg of the World Cup Series with a match at UBC on Sunday, March 1. Kickoff is set for 1:00 p.m. PT. at Gerald McGavin UBC Rugby Centre, on campus at UBC.
 
Scoring Timeline:
 
Cal 36, British Columbia 21
 
10:00 Keanu Andrade 5, Max Schumacher 2
14:00 British Columbia (Michael Smith) 5, British Columbia (Tighe Maxwell) 2
20:00 Keanu Andrade 5, Max Schumacher 2
24:00 Max Schumacher 3
40:00 Max Schumacher 5, Max Schumacher 2
Halftime Score: Cal 24, British Columbia 7
45:00 Damon Wiley 5, Max Schumacher 2
60:00 British Columbia (Joe Sourisseau) 5, British Columbia (Maxwell Radcliffe) 2
64:00 British Columbia 5 (Joe Sourisseau), Maxwell Radcliffe (Maxwell Radcliffe) 2
76:00 Sebastian Bader 5, Max Schumacher 2
 
Starters vs British Columbia
1. Josh Warnock 2. Jack Manzo 3. Damon Wiley 4. Max Murphy 5. Sebastian Bader 6. Sam Golla 7. Jason Severance 8. Thomas Spradling © 9. Henry Poon 10. Seth Purdey 11. Marcus Shankland 12. Keanu Andrade 13. Adam Roeske 14. Sam Cusano 15. Max Schumacher
Substitutions:
55:00 Lone Toailoa (Josh Warnock)
57:00 Ken Kurihara (Adam Roeske), Jack Gallagher (Poon)
64:00 Nathan Zylstra (Jack Manzo)
75:00 Jack Weigold (Nathan Zylstra)