Cal Has to Work For It to Beat Arizona
Cal Has to Work For It to Beat Arizona
Arizona pushed Cal 36-17 Saturday in PAC Rugby Conference action.
The result took Cal to 9-0 and to 3-0 in the conference, which the Bears have now clinched, but it was also notable for how close it was, as a Wildcat team that was beaten soundly by Cal a year ago were within a score with 20 minutes to go.
“We appreciate Arizona and wish them the best going forward,” Cal Head Coach Jack Clark said. “It was fantastic to see so many old faces this afternoon at the homecoming. Great day in Strawberry Canyon.”
Cal scrumhalf Caleb Tomasin scored first in the match, but that was answered by the Wildcats through center Charley Redknapp to tie it up 14 minutes in. Cal responded past the midpoint of the first half when freshman center Max Threlkeld ran in. Max Schumacher converted to make it 12-5. Alex Brundage added to that lead a few minutes later, but just at the stroke of halftime Arizona battled back to get their second and make it a tight game once more at 17-12—hooker Zach Barker's try making it happen.
Ten minutes into the second half flanker Cal Liebowitz went over to keep Arizona at arm's length, but once again the Wildcats responded with fullback Matteo Berenger going over a few minutes later and it was 24-17. Brundage blocked the conversion attempt.
Cal finished it up after that, with No. 8 Alex Aguero shoving his way over and Liebowitz added his second with five minutes to go.
It was a tough-minded performance by Arizona and done without EJ Freeman and Jake Broselle, who were playing for the USA Falcons 7s team in Los Angeles. Lock and captain James Rivers continued to lead from the front and Jack Bresland at No. 8 was also huge for the Wildcats.
“Can’t say enough about [Rivers'] leadership and how he and the guys approached the bye week with a business like, professional approach," said Arizona Head Coach Sean Duffy. "Well-timed, and a great couple weeks of hard training to get these guys ready but without James it’s a top-down, dictatorial situation that doesn’t always work. These guys have ownership in the organization and that leads to accountability and a drive that is special."
Next up for Cal is Army, which will visit Berkeley on Saturday while Arizona is at UCLA.
