March 5, 2013

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BERKELEY - Playing their third match in five days, the Golden Bears conclude their current homestand at 6 p.m. on Wednesday night, March 4, on Witter Rugby Field with the first-ever meeting between California and the Dukes from James Madison University.

The Bears, who enter the match at 14-0 overall and 3-0 in the PAC Rugby Conference, are projected to start a team of freshmen and sophomores that includes second-year No. 8 Michael Bush as match-day captain. Not expected to play is the halfback combination from Cal's win over Penn State, sophomore Nicklas Boyer and freshman Russell Webb. Sophomore wing Andrew Battaglia should also get the night off.

James Madison, which arrives from Harrisonburg, Va., with an 0-1 record after a 26-19 season-opening loss to Maryland, is coached by Mark Lambourne, who played for both Jack Clark and Ned Anderson during his years as a member of the California rugby program.

Following Wednesday night's contest, Cal will resume its PAC Rugby Conference schedule at Oregon State for its fourth match in eight days before going back on the road to finish the "World Cup" series against UBC in Vancouver March 24.

Wednesday night vs. JMU is the last home match for the Bears until they celebrate Homecoming on Witter Rugby Field against Utah at 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 30.

Free admission to this match is offered for all Cal students, youth under 12 and active military personnel to see the Bears battle the Dukes under the lights in Strawberry Canyon.