Feb. 15, 1997

Cal Rugby Remains Undefeated with Victory Over Arizona State

PHOENIX, Ariz. - Cal's Varsity rugby team touched down in Phoenix Friday, but nobody told winger Todd Conneely. He was still flying Saturday, scoring six tries as the Bears beat Arizona State 59-0.

Conneely, who had a hat trick within the first 20 minutes of the game and 15 more points in the second half, praised his teammates for feeding him the ball. "Arizona State was a little ill-disciplined defensively," the winger said. "We are an experienced team and were able to take advantage of that. We also had a speed advantage out wide."

The defending national champion Bears dominated line-outs which allowed them to launch repeated attacks on the Sun Devils' goal line. ASU were pinned deep in their own territory through-out the match, despite an 11-2 penalty advantage.

Cal coach Jack Clark was simultaneously pleased and disappointed with the Bear's performance. "It's always good to win the first game when you are on tour," he said. In the previous week of practice, however, Clark had urged his players to seek the perfect game rather than simply winning and he didn't see the best rugby possible in Tempe: "It got a little ragged in the second half," he said, "but it is good to have a victory."

The Bears play the University of Arizona in Tucson on Monday They then host two international games in the coming week, playing the University of Victoria on Wednesday at 3.00 p.m. and the University of British Columbia on Saturday at 1.00 p.m.

Cal            33  26  =  59
Arizona State   0   0  =   0
Scoring: 
First Half - T. Conneely Try (5) K. Dalzell Conversion (2) 2.00; 
T. Conneely Try (5) 11.00; T. Conneely Try (5) K. Dalzell Conversion (2) 21.00; 
K. Khasigian Try (5) K. Dalzell Conversion (2) 26.00; R. Fried Try (5) K. Dalzell Conversion (2) 35.00. 
Second Half - T. Conneely Try (5) 7.00; S. Yungling Try (5) D. Stroble Conversion
(2) 16.00; T. Conneely Try (5) D. Stroble Conversion (2) 31.00; T. Conneely Try (5) 
D. Stroble Conversion (2) 33.00.
Cal Record: 5-0