California overpowers UA rugby

The Wildcats kept a 7-3 score for 64 minutes before the flood gates opened as the Bears scored three trys and two conversions in the final 27 minutes.

Cal scrumhalf Kevin Dalzell, the 1996 player of the year had no complaints about his team after the match.

"We knew Arizona was on top of its own division and didn't expect an easy game," he said. "There is a chance we'll face them again in the play-offs."

Dalzell connected on 3 of the 4 conversions, each one for two points.

"They were more powerful than what we're used to," UA scrumhalf Tom Scholzen said. "But that doesn't necessarily mean they're better than us."

Scholzen said he felt "very beat up" after the game but the moral among the Wildcats was high.

As a team, the players realized they can defeat teams like California and Air Force.

"We want both of those teams really bad. We know we are going to beat them next time we face them," Scholzen said.

Wildcat head coach David Sitton said he was not satisfied with the result but had no problem with his players' effort.

"We faced the No. 1 team in the nation. They have won 12 of the last 15 championships and still we were able to hold them 7-3 for nearly 65 minutes," Sitton said.

The first Cal try was run by wing David Stroble. During the second half, eight-man Scott Yungling scored the second. Then flanker Kirk Khasigian and Deron McElroy finished it off.

Yungling and Khasigian scored with the help of the their heavy and powerful offensive line, which eventually wore down the Wildcats.

"We can only hold the line and be under pressure for so long and today we gave up the ball," Sitton said.

The Wildcats will have the chance for a "mano-a-mano" rematch in about a month during an invitational in California, Sitton said.

Bears' head coach, Jack Clark only had compliments for the Wildcats.

"It was a good trip for us," Clark said. "The match was hard to play for both teams. I'm very pleased with the result even though it was pretty even for a while."

The Wildcats downfall was mainly due to Cal's overpowering speed and the "scissor" play, which Clark said has worked well this season.

The play is basically a variation of cut-backs, and hand-offs, matched with quickness that tends to trick the opponents front line.

During halftime, Dalzell said, Clark encouraged the team to be patient while trying to build up the plays and team effort.

"We are used to getting big scores during the first half of our matches. This time coach Clark told us to be patient. Everything worked out fine though," he said.

The junior varsity team lost to California 22-0.

The Wildcat rubgy team plays UCLA in Los Angeles Feb. 28.