March 25, 2012

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VANCOUVER, Canada - California beat British Columbia, 46-20, Sunday in front of a spirited crowd at Thunderbird Stadium, sweeping the "World Cup" series emphatically after entering the contest with a one-point advantage.

Five different Golden Bears found the try zone on a clear but cold and breezy afternoon. Inside center Brad Harrington notched two tries while fullback Jake Anderson added two penalties and five conversions.

Thunderbirds outside center Dayffd Samuel, No. 8 Alex Daniel and prop/captain Alex Kam scored tries for UBC, combined with a penalty kick and one conversion from scrumhalf Colin Hamstra to account for the host's scoring.

The front eight for Cal were much more effective against the T-Birds compared to the opening leg of the series on Treasure Island in February. Scrums, lineouts, rucks and mauls kept UBC on the back foot, offering clean ball for the backs to attack.

"From early on this week as forwards, our emphasis was on getting it done," said prop Jeremy Deterding. "We got our heads around how important this game is not only to us, but to past players and the program. We did it as 15 today."

Fellow senior Connor Ring agreed the determination to play well against the Thunderbirds extended to the backs and throughout the squad.

"We had a lot of focus," Ring said. "We got together as a team and found out what's in us."

Ring, Deterding and replacement Zack Klaas were joined in their final "World Cup" foray by four sophomores and a freshman among the starters. Two additional first-years were on the field by the end of the match.

Freshman Andrew Battaglia, who started at wing, said, "It was an honor to play in this match for Cal. I'm very happy with how it turned out."

Also happy for the performance was the large contingent of Cal supporters who traveled to Vancouver to witness the contest.

"It was a really focused effort and I am very proud of the boys," said head coach Jack Clark. "Full marks to UBC as well. It was a good display of collegiate rugby."

Cal has now won 13 of the past 16 "World Cups," a two-match series that dates back to 1921.

Next up for the Bears (14-1) is an opportunity for a frosh-soph lineup to feature at UC Santa Cruz on Sunday, April 1, at noon.

The First XV will also be preparing for a Sunday, April 15, match against Saint Mary's on Pat Vincent Field in Moraga.

The Scoring Timeline vs. British Columbia

08:00 Jake Anderson 3

11:00 Brendan Daly 5, Jake Anderson 2

15:00 UBC (Dayffd Samuel) 5

25:00 UBC (Carlin Hamstra) 3

30:00 Brad Harrington 5

36:00 Seamus Kelly 5, Jake Anderson 2

Halftime: California 22, British Columbia 8

45:00 Brad Harrington 5, Jake Anderson 2

55:00 Danny Barrett 5, Jake Anderson 2

59:00 UBC (Alex Daniel) 5, (Colin Hamstra) 2

66:00 UBC (Alex Kam) 5

68:00 Paul Bosco 5, Jake Anderson 2

74:00 Jake Anderson 3

Final Score: California 46, British Columbia 20

The Team vs. British Columbia

15. Anderson, 14. Battaglia, 13. Kelly ©, 12. Harrington (Okusi @ 60:00), 11. Lombardo, 10. Bosco, 9. Ring, 1. Deterding (Klaas @ 68:00), 2. Wrobel (Hyjer @ 60:00), 3. Davenport, 4. Coleman, 5. Daly, 6. De Nysschen (Chehade @ 60:00), 7. O'Beirne, 8. Barrett (Bush @ 79:00)