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Rugby beats Long Beach St. to clinch conference tie and playoff berth

The Arizona rugby team scored 10 tries en route to another conference victory Sunday afternoon, as the Wildcats routed Long Beach State 65-21 at Estevan Park.

"I thought the score would have been a lot closer," head coach Dave Sitton said. "They are a very good rugby team and was surprised we scored 65 points against them."

With the win, Arizona clinched at least a tie for the SoCal Conference championship and a spot in the National Collegiate Rugby Tournament. UA can win the SoCal Conference crown outright with a victory against Arizona State on Apr. 1.

The Wildcats (7-3 overall, 6-1 in conference) jumped all over the 49ers early in the game. Junior flyhalf Rodd Penney scored three tries in the first 25 minutes of the game and gave the Wildcats a 19-0 lead.

"Getting the early points helped us," Penney said. "I think it sunk the hopes of the other team early in the game."

The Wildcats finished the half with tries by senior Chris Kron, hooker Nick Kenny, prop Josh Allen and Penney, to increase the lead at intermission to 43-7.

"It helped to have Chris Kron back from overseas, and the outstanding play of Penney has made a huge difference," Allen said.

In the second half, the scoring continued as Penney and Allen added a try apiece, and wing Mike McCartney and flanker James Kai also scored tries for Arizona.

Kron, who played in his first game this season for the Wildcats since he came back from international play, added five conversions to round out the scoring.

"It was great to be back," Kron said. "I had a lot of fun playing with the boys again since they are all my best friends."

Scoring 65 points on Sunday, the Wildcats have now scored 222 points in their last four games. During that stretch, Allen has scored nine tries and Penney has scored 10 touchdowns.

"The team has put me in good positions to score," Allen said. "Glad I have had the chance to score as many times as I have had."