(Photos by Colleen McCloskey for Goff Rugby Report) - Cal won the team's fourth-straight CRC Sunday, capping off one of the program's most decorated seasons (they also won the Varsity Cup).

And while the Varsity Cup was a close-run thing, the CRC wasn't, not really. In only two of those games - both against Arkansas State - did an opponent score more than one try. In one of those games, the result was essentially settled before the Red Wolves scored. In the other, Cal had to come back after a torrid ASU start. That was the only time that Cal wasn't in control. The Bears outscored opponents 189-38.

“I’m so very proud of these boys for representing our University with such determination,” said head coach Jack Clark. “They are exceptional young men.” 

Jesse Milne was MVP of the final game, but there were some other impressive performances, notably Anthony Salaber, who has been superb all year.

Milne, of course, credited his teammates. “It’s emblematic of the effort that my teammates and coaches have put it throughout the year,” Milne said. “Everyone came in here committed to the best tournament they could possibly have.”

“We’ve played UCLA so many times and it’s been close most every time,” Salaber said. “It was an unfortunate result for them today, but they fought hard, we fought hard, and we just came out on the right side of it. We do have experience at this event and I think it showed in that game and all weekend.”

And then there's captain Russell Webb, who was always on the lookout for an opportunity.

“I was very happy and proud of the boys having won the Varsity Cup for keeping their heads down and staying focused to reach the pinnacle here,” Webb said. “It’s not easy to do. It’s not just us, either, it was everyone back Berkeley who were able to hold on and do it with us. It’s was about playing better with each game, which we did, and when we hit the final, it really clicked.”

In the victory itself, Cal showed shades of Dartmouth's win in 2011, as they were tactically superior than their opponents. If you play 7s in the opposition 22, and the other team doesn't have Carlin Isles, Arnold Senatla, Perry Baker, or Savenaca Rawaca, then you're likely going to make it very difficult for them to score. And a little knock-on, or a poorly-controlled offload out of contact, turns the tables. 

Cal played that way and were very smart about it. In addition, they decided to rip the ball out of players' arms. This is a tough thing to do of late, because if the ballcarrier's knee has hit the ground before the rip occurs, then you're penalized for not releasing the ballcarrier. So it has to be done brutally, and fast, and with discipline that if it's not there, then wait for your chance. Cal did that better than anyone.