Mar. 16, 1997
Cal Rugby Shuts Out Arizona
BERKELEY, Calif. - In the cold and wet Sunday, Cal's rugby
squad tamed the Wildcats 53-0.
It was the same University of Arizona team that gave Cal a close
match in Tucson last month, but the change of venue to Witter Field
bought a change of conditions and a change of fortunes.
Cal held a 27-0 advantage at the half in contrast to a 7-3
half-time lead in the desert match-up a month ago. Unlike two recent
games where teams have gained their second wind against the Bear's in
the second half, Cal never relinquished control of Sunday's match
despite an ever-increasing lead.
Bears' right winger Todd Conneely had three tries while left
winger Ryan Fried had two. Cal captain and fly half Kevin Dalzell was
near perfect in his kicking, adding two penalties and converting on
six of the Cal teams seven tries. Scrum half Charlie Masters and
outside center Vinh Phanh also scored for the Bears while Arizona was
limited to four penalty kick attempts.
Arizona made a number of costly mistakes in the match, after a
disciplined performance against Cal in Tucson. A tighthead scrum win
gave the Bears their first try of the match, for example, and a wild
'Cats pass on their own goal line gave Cal their last.
The Bears' coach Jack Clark was happy with the win and the
psychological advantage it affords his team which will see Arizona
again in the national championship play-offs. "Although we left
ourselves some things to work on, we played well," he told his players
after the match.
Brown University's cancelled tour means the U. of A. win was the
Bears' last home game for a few weeks. They travel for games against
the Universities of Washington, Victoria and British Columbia over
spring break and then play at Santa Clara on April 5. However, Cal
hosts the national championship at the beginning of May, where the
team hopes to secure a seventh consecutive national title.
Cal 27 26 = 53
Arizona 0 0 = 0
Scoring: First Half -- Kevin Dalzell Penalty Kick (3)
00.43; Ryan Fried Try (5) Kevin Dalzell Conversion (2) 6.22; Ryan
Fried Try (5) Kevin Dalzell Conversion (2) 18.31; Kevin Dalzell
Penalty Kick (3); 24.56; Todd Conneely Try (5) Kevin Dalzell
Conversion (2) 26.12.
Second Half -- Todd Conneely Try (5) Kevin Dalzell Conversion
(2) 9.04; Charlie Masters Try (5) Kevin Dalzell Conversion (2) 27.36;
Vinh Phanh Try (5) Kevin Dalzell Conversion (2) 30.58; Todd Conneely
Try (5) 39.12.
Cal Record: 9-2
