Feb. 5, 2008

BERKELEY - The Golden Bears face one of the toughest challenges of the season on Friday, Feb. 8, when they travel south to play Old Mission Beach Athletic Club, the only team to beat California in 2007. The rematch of last year's 36-30 barnburner in Berkeley kicks off on San Diego's Robb Field at 3 p.m. as a featured match within the San Diego Invitational.

"OMBAC are a very good and experienced team, and we're looking forward to the challenge," said Cal head coach Jack Clark. "I thought we competed well with them last year and we certainly grew from the experience."

This will be the third consecutive season that the Bears have tested themselves against top-flight Rugby Super League competition, having defeated defending RSL champ New York Athletic Club in 2006.

Current RSL champion Belmont Shore declined Cal's invitation to visit Witter Rugby Field this season for a March 1 match of collegiate vs. RSL champions. This leaves OMBAC, the 2006 RSL champion and 2007 quarterfinalist helmed this season by first-year head coach Jason Wood, as the only RSL opponent on the 2007 varsity schedule.

Cal enters Friday's rematch looking to be competitive again against the more-experienced OMBAC, which has long been known as the club team of choice for U.S. National Team players due to factors such as its everyday-training climate. While San Diego may be temperate, it will nevertheless be a visitors' atmosphere for the Bears.

"By way of importance, we can't let the occasion get to us," Clark said. "If we can focus and tend to our victory conditions, we can make a contest out of this match. If not, then it could be a long day. Either way, there will be lessons on the offer."

Played as a feature match within the San Diego Invitational, the Cal-OMBAC match is one of several high-caliber contests at the event. Additional matches on Friday include BYU vs. Santa Monica RFC, another college/Super League clash, and Navy vs. Utah.

The Bears will travel first to Vallejo on Wednesday for a 7 p.m. match against Cal Maritime. After Friday's OMBAC match, the ruggers will return to Berkeley for a one-month homestand on Witter Rugby Field.