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Cal Poly Over A&M In Midweek Tour Match

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Cal Poly Over A&M In Midweek Tour Match

Cal Poly defeated Texas A&M Tuesday night in a pre-playoff tour match.

The Mustangs got a big defensive effort from No. 8 Ryan Wenstrom, and the big loose forward also scored two tries on the night.

It was a well-contested match, but A&M found it difficult to break through. A break from flyhalf Jack Marchant got the Mustangs in the A&M 22 and then center Coby Baker fended off a couple of tacklers for the first try. Baker converted and would add a penalty a little bit later to make it 10-0 after 20 minutes. Soon it was 22-0 after lock Wyatt O’Connor and Wenstrom surged over. A&M answered with a long-range penalty goal from Alex Park, but once again Cal Poly put the pressure on. This time it was a loose ball gathered by Wenstrom and he powered through and then took off for a long-range try.

Just before halftime A&M got over the line after some sustained time in the Cal Poly 22. A penalty led to a quick tap and prop Ryan Meehan dummied and was over.

The second half scoring was a little slower. Vice captain and prop Quinton Tindel scored for Cal Poly off a tap move, and with about six minutes to go Aggie No. 8 Eric Hawkins grabbed an errant Mustangs pass off the top of his boots and thundered on for 55 meters to score.

Overall, it was a good showing by Cal Poly.

Leinster School of Excellence

“It was happy with the defensive effort,” said Cal Poly Head Coach Chris O’Brien. “That was my goal, to really improve on defense and first-time tackles and we did a much better job of that.”

Wenstrom was very good and flanker Michael McPherson made some big plays for Cal Poly in what proved to be a tough game.

“I was very impressed with A&M,” said O’Brien. “Their #9 has a very good pass and they move the ball well. I think our defensive line speed surprised them a little but, but we looked on this as our first playoff game and it was a good one.”

Cal Poly plays Baylor on Thursday.

Cal Poly 36
Tries: Wenstrom 2, Baker, O'Connor, Tindel
Convs: Baker 4
Pens: Baker

Texas A&M 13
Tries: Meehan, Hawkins
Pens: Park