Feb. 9, 1997

Cal's Varsity Rugby Squad Fends Off Furious UC Davis Rallies to Win 32-20

DAVIS, Calif. - Cal jumped out to an early 14 point lead with two tries by outside center Vinh Phan, but the Aggies, urged on by a large hometown crowd, had three tries of their own late in the first period.

A steady breeze at their backs gave the Bears good field position through most of the half, but the Aggies stayed in the game by winning more line-outs and penalties. Cal held a 17-15 advantage at the half only thanks to a penalty kick and two conversions by scrum half Kevin Dalzell.

A similar pattern of scoring prevailed in the second half with the Bears scoring two more tries and another penalty kick to hold a 32-15 lead late in the game. The Davis squad threatened the Cal goal line repeatedly in the waning minutes of the game, but could turn only one opportunity into points scoring the last try of the game.

The Aggies' defense kept the Bears from settling into any offensive pattern which left Cal coach Jack Clark a little unsatisfied despite the victory.

"We are relieved to win the game," he said, "although we probably didn't play as well as we could have."

The Bears also won the second team game.

The Bear's travel again next weekend for games against the University of Arizona and Arizona State.

Cal       17   15 =  32
UC Davis  15    5 =  20
Scoring: First Half - V. Phan Try (5) K. Dalzell Conversion (2) 7.00; V.
Phan Try (5) K. Dalzell Conversion (2) 11.00; UC Davis Try (5) 20.00; K.
Dalzell Penalty Kick (3) 36.00; UC Davis Try (5) 39.00; UC Davis Try (5)
Injury Time. 
Second Half -K. Dalzell Penalty Kick (3) 3.00; D. McElroy
Try (5) 11.00; S. Yungling Try (5) K. Dalzell Conversion (2) 30.00; UC
Davis Try (5) 35.00.
Cal Record: 4-0