Feb. 19, 1997

Rugby Falls to University of Victoria 31-14

Cal's Varsity rugby team scored a moral victory against the University of Victoria Wednesday, but lost their first match of the season 31-14. The Bears dominated nearly an hour of the 80 minute contest, but couldn't put enough points on the board to win. Cal lead 11-10 at the half thanks to a try from fullback Katsu Takei and two penalty kicks by scrum half Kevin Dalzell. But the Bears, with several players still bruised up after a tough game with Arizona on Monday, could manage only one more Dalzell penalty in the second half.

The Victoria team scored a try less than ten minutes into the second period and held a three point lead until late in the match when they added two more tries to seal the win.

Victoria's coach, Doug Tate, said "Cal totally outplayed us in the first half. They were very unlucky not to break it open. We could have easily been down by ten or more points. They applied a lot of pressure and when we scored it was against the flow of play."

The Canadians made the most of their limited opportunities with the ball thanks to good support play while Cal coach Jack Clark was disappointed with the number of turnovers his team committed. "We got impatient I think.

There were times when we could have used our ball more effectively." The Victoria team, which has not lost to a North American college team in six years, expects an even tougher match when the Bears travel to Canada at the end of March. "We've been playing since the September," said Doug Tate, "so we have a real advantage. Cal will be even better the second time round."

The Bears host another international on Sunday when they play the University of British Columbia at 1.00 p.m.

Cal 11 3 = 14
vs.
Victoria 10 21 = 31

Scoring: First Half -U. of Vic. Penalty Kick (3) 5.40; K. Takei Try (5) 8.46; K. Dalzell Penalty Kick (3) 22.20; U. of Vic. Try (5) and Conversion(2) 34.30; K. Dalzell Penalty Kick (3) 39.00. Second Half - U. of Vic. Try (5) and Conversion(2) 9.35; K. Dalzell Penalty Kick (3) 20.00; U. of Vic. Try (5) and Conversion(2) 30.31; U. of Vic. Try (5) and Conversion(2) 34.44.

Cal Record: 6-1