BERKELEY – California rugby routed Grand Canyon, 86-21, in its first match of the weekend at Witter Rugby Field. The Golden Bears, who featured 10 underclassmen in their starting lineup Saturday afternoon, scored 14 tries by 11 different players in the victory.
 
The Bears took an early lead in the contest with Cormac Saint scoring back-to-back tries within the first seven minutes of the match. Masi Koi chipped-and-chased a ball to add another try to the scoresheet at minute 15.
 
The forwards took a turn adding to the scoreline, with Ryan Marshall, Dom Paga and Broc Daily each carrying in a try all within the span of six minutes. Jack Byszio recovered a kickoff and maneuvered his way past all the Antelopes to dot down his first of two tries on the day.
 
At minute 37, GCU capitalized on a favorable bounce of the ball and set down its first converted try of the day. As the half was expiring, the Bears set up an attacking lineout and won it in the air. The forwards grinded out a few phases on the goal-line and eventually saw Oliver Kirk push in a try. Saint went 6-of-8 on conversion attempts in the first period to make it 52-7 at the break.
 
The Antelopes were quick to find the tryzone in the second half, scoring just two minutes into play. Byszio answered with his second try of the day as he reached across the goal-line in the left corner for another Bear score. Cal stayed on the attack and five minutes later, Mack Fell broke a couple of tackles to muscle his way into the tryzone and Jackson Launey scored another shortly after.
 
The Antelopes stayed on the prowl and found themselves threatening Bear territory. A GCU player chipped the ball forward and it curved into the hands of his teammate who carried it in for their final try of the contest.
 
The Bears went on to score three unanswered tries, first with Fell notching his second of the day before Talan Jones and Noa Grasse came off the bench to contribute one try each. Replacement Kealan O'Connell took over kicking duties in the second half, adding the extras on two tries to make it 86-21 in favor of the Bears at the final whistle.
 
Cal returns to Strawberry Canyon tomorrow for a matchup with the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. PT, with the gates set to open at Noon. Fans can also watch the live stream on ESPN+.
 
Scoring Timeline:
Cal vs. GCU
3:00 – Cormac Saint 5, Cormac Saint 2
6:00 – Cormac Saint 5
15:00 – Masi Koi 5, Cormac Saint 2
21:00 – Ryan Marshall 5, Cormac Saint 2
25:00 – Dom Paga 5, Cormac Saint 2
27:00 – Broc Daily 5, Cormac Saint 2
28:00 – Jack Byszio 5, Cormac Saint 2
37:00 – GCU 5, GCU 2
40:00 – Oliver Kirk 5
Half: Cal 52, GCU 7
42:00 – GCU 5, GCU 2
55:00 – Jack Byszio 5
60:00 – Mack Fell 5, Kealan O'Connell 2
61:00 – Jackson Launey 5, Kealan O'Connell 2
64:00 – GCU 5, GCU 2
68:00 – Mack Fell 5
74:00 – Talan Jones 5
76:00 – Noa Grasse 5
Final: Cal 86, GCU 21
 
Starting XV:
1. Alex Vieira 2. Broc Daily 3. Oliver Kirk 4. Ryan Marshall 5. Byron Finley 6. Dom Paga 7. Brady Weingart 8. Elias Smith 9. Cormac Saint 10. Masi Koi 11. Jack Byszio 12. Mack Fell 13. Tomás Tort 14. Quinn Spieker 15. Jackson Launey
 
Substitutions:
Luke Leddy (Half), Tom Archer (Half), Noa Grasse (Half), Jack Openshaw (Half), Kealan O'Connell (Half), Talan Jones (49:00), Steele Dombo (62:00), Tommy Rainsford (74:00)
 
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