By
Jeff Lund
Arizona Daily Wildcat
The UA rugby team has plenty to smile about after this weekend.
After defeating San Diego State 24-19 on Friday, the Wildcats destroyed the University of San Diego 96-0 yesterday at Estevan Park, the largest victory in UA club rugby history.
"They just were not prepared to play us," UA head coach Dave Sitton said. "We just started pumping in trys. Everything went our way."
Yesterday, UA scored 96 points on 16 trys in a 77-minute game (the game was called three minutes early by the referee), eclipsing the 90-5 score set in April 1977 against New Mexico State.
Hooker Nich Kenny, who plays the position equivalent of a center in American football, scored 19 points for UA.
"To (San Diego's) credit they handled themselves really well," Sitton said. "They showed a lot of class."
On Friday, UA fullback David Wood broke five tackles on his way to the try-zone with just seconds on the clock to give Arizona the 24-19 victory over previously undefeated San Diego State.
Arizona broke a 5-5 score in the first half with a try by Andrew Brischke, to give the team a 12-5 halftime lead. Arizona increased its lead to 17-5 after a 50-yard run by Joe Schmitt.
San Diego State refused to go quietly. The Aztecs fought back and took advantage of Arizona's mistakes, reclaiming the lead after Aztec flanker Craig Newman scored a try. The conversion gave SDSU its last lead at 19-17, and set the table for Wood's heroic 35-yard match clinching run.
For the Arizona rugby team, there was no better way to end its losing streak.
"This was huge," Senior hooker Nich Kenny said. "I think we are prepared for any other team. We showed ourselves how good we can be."
For 27 years the rivalry between UA and San Diego State has grown, making Friday's victory even sweeter.
"They are our number one rival," Kenny said. "So it was twice as big as beating any other team."
The return of Josh Allen gave UA a much needed emotional lift going into the battle with the Aztecs.
"It was a huge boost to get Josh back," Kenny said. "We didn't have to rely on him, but it was good knowing he was on the field."
Head Coach Dave Sitton agreed.
"His return gave the team a boost," Sitton said. "There is no doubt if we would have had him we would have won at least one on our trip to California."
