Mar. 1, 1997

Rugby Routs Chico State 74-3

BERKELEY, Calif. -- Cal's rugby squad had cause for celebration after beating Chico St. 74-3 Saturday, but the Bears took only a few minutes to savor the victory before turning their attention to next week's Stanford game.

Despite injury-forced changes to their line-up, the Bears scored eleven tries as their forward pack's power running repeatedly forced breakdowns in the Wildcats' defense.

The loose forward trio of Kirk Khasigian, Mark Hildebrand and Simon Terry-Lloyd did a good deal of the damage on attack and used their speed on defense to deny Chico State any offensive momentum.

Cal captain Kevin Dalzell was rewarded for a strong kicking game despite windy conditions (8-11 conversions plus a penalty) with a try late in the game. His was one of eight tries scored by the Bears' backline which, despite some timing problems caused by substitutions and position shifts throughout the match, was able to exploit the defensive disarray generated by their forward pack.

With the win, the Bears exorcised some of the disappointment of two losses to Canadian teams in the previous week-both of which the Bears had a good chance to win. The team a hard week's practice to which flanker Terry-Lloyd attributed Saturday's success: "I really took to heart the lessons we learned at training. A lot of us wanted to turn the season around and it seems to be working, although we've a long way to go."

The players had not even left the field after the match, before Cal coach Jack Clark turned their attention to next Saturday's 1.00pm match at The Farm. He exhorted the team to put in another intense week of practice and then bring back the Scrum Axe to Berkeley.

Last year's loss to Stanford ended Cal's 98 game winning streak against domestic opponents. With almost all players returning, the Bears are determined to make amends and secure the Pacific Coast Championship with a win against the Cardinal.

Cal         39 35 = 74
vs.
Chico State  0  3 =  3
Scoring: First Half - C. Masters Try (5) 3.30; K. Dalzell
Penalty Kick (3) 5.54; T. Conneely Try (5) 8.23; S. Enochian Try
(5) K. Dalzell Conversion (2) 16.55; R. Fried Try (5) 20.45; M.
Gorham Try (5) K. Dalzell Conversion (2) 31.43; T. Conneely Try
(5) K. Dalzell Conversion (2) 37.29.
Second Half - J. Perry Try (5) K. Dalzell Conversion (2)
4.30; M. Foster Try (5) K. Dalzell Conversion (2) 8.46; Chico St.
Penalty Kick (3) 13.38; S. Paga Try (5) K. Dalzell Conversion (2)
22.31; K. Dalzell Try (5) & Conversion (2) 24.29; D. Anthrop Try
(5) K. Dalzell Conversion (2) 32.38.
Cal Record: 7-2