WEST POINT, N.Y. - The California rugby team showed a gritty, full team effort Saturday, defeating Army 70-18. After struggling in the first half with a good Army side, the Golden Bears outscored the Black Knights 49-7 in the second half. Cal scored 10 tries by six different players in the victory as Max Threlkeld led the Bears with a hat trick.
 
"Army was on the front foot much of that first half and we did well to stay with them until we found our footing," head coach Jack Clark said. "We were more purposeful in the second half, finding some rhythm and more go forward, which ultimately allowed us to use some space in the midfield and out wide. It was a difficult travel on the players and they did really well with the challenge. I'm proud of the boys and our support crew for answering the bell."
 
Early Cal penalties led to two Army penalty kicks in the first eight minutes. Cal answered in the 10th minute as senior scrumhalf Solomon Williams gave a behind the back inside pass to fullback Oliver Newall, who went 20m untouched for the try to put the Bears ahead 7-6.
 
A box kick from Army in the 15th minute pinned Cal deep inside the 22. An errant pass from Oliver Teague resulted in a Cal turnover and the Black Nights capitalized, driving ahead for their first try of the game.
 
Both teams went scoreless for the next 20 minutes until Masi Koi made his presence known. A hard run from Rand Santos put the ball into Army territory. Santos passed the ball to Koi, who kicked the ball forward, running past the Black Nights defense and in for the diving try to put Cal up 14-11.
 
Cal finished off a tough first half overpowering the Army defense again. Strong runs by Koi and senior lock Byron Finley led to an opening, and the Bears capitalized as Williams found Max Threlkeld, who ran ahead for the try. Cal led 21-11 at halftime.
 
"It's always tough playing the military academies," Threlkeld said. "They bring a unique physicality and toughness and while we started a bit slow and had too many errors, I think we picked it up from there. The boys really fought back hard and I thought we showed a lot of resilience. I'm proud of how we fought back."
 
The Bears struck first in the second half as they utilized a two-man game with Threlkeld and Koi. Santos passed the ball outside to Threlkeld, who found Koi, who in turn passed the ball back to Threlkeld and he converted his second try of the game.
 
A box kick from Santos led to a great run from Michál de Beer in the 58th minute. De Beer found Oliver Kirk, who broke a tackle, and showed off some classy footwork striding ahead for a try.
 
In the 60th minute, with the Bears up 35-11, two Army players were sent off with yellow cards. The Bears capitalized on the two-man advantage by utilizing their wings to find space on the outside of the pitch. That led to multiple tries and the Bears blew the game open. Suddenly, the Bears found themselves ahead 63-11 with 12 minutes to play.
 
Army added one try at the end, mauling forward out of a lineout. A late try from Teague rounded out the scoring.
 
After the game, Army head coach Matt Sherman shared his thoughts about the Bears.
 
"They're what we thought coming in," Sherman said. "They're very dangerous and with time and space they can score a lot of points, as we learned today. I think they're the team to beat and hopefully we get another chance."
 
"A big thanks to Army," captain Rand Santos shared. "They've been great hosts, they're great competitors. Two years ago they really took it to us so I'm happy the guys were able to get the win. It wasn't the first half we wanted, but we were able to rebound in the second half, and get the win."
 
"It was a good result," vice captain Solomon Williams said. "Army is a physical, tough side, and every time we play against them it's always a hard fought battle. The performance wasn't perfect, we've got a lot to build on. We gave away too many turnovers in the first 20 minutes, but thankfully we were able to adjust and adapt to that and get the win."
 
Scoring Timeline:
Cal at Army
4:00  – Howie Heller, 3 (Army)
8:00 – Howie Heller, 3 (Army)
10:00 – Oliver Newall, 5, Rand Santos, 2
15:00 – Jack Reed, 5 (Army)
35:00 – Masi Koi, 5, Rand Santos, 2
39:00 – Max Threlkeld, 5, Rand Santos, 2
Half: Cal, 21, Army, 11
55:00 – Max Threlkeld, 5, Rand Santos, 2
58:00 – Oliver Kirk, 5, Rand Santos, 2
62:00 – Max Threlkeld, 5, Rand Santos, 2
64:00 – Solomon Williams, 5, Rand Santos, 2
66:00 – Oliver Newall, 5, Rand Santos, 2
68:00 – Oliver Teague, 5, Rand Santos, 2
74:00 – Army, 5, Howie Heller, 2
77:00 – Oliver Teague, 5, Cormac Saint, 2
Final: Cal, 70, Army, 18
 
Starting XV:
1. Oliver Kirk 2. Alex Vieira (William Schreckengaust 67') 3. Cade Crist (Jayden Flores 79') 4. Talae Tuimaunei 5. Byron Finley 6. Brice Muller 7. Ryan Wenstrom (Seamus Deely 53') 8. Oliver Teague (Elias Smith 79') 9. Solomon Williams (Cormac Saint 75') 10. Rand Santos 11. Masi Koi (Quinn Spieker 71') 12. Michál de Beer 13. Max Threlkeld 14. Jack Byszio (Nate Comiskey 53') 15. Oliver Newall