VANCOUVER – The 'World Cup' will be staying in California.
The UBC Thunderbirds men's rugby team dropped a 46-20 decision to the California Golden Bears on Sunday in the second game of the annual series, considered one of the premiere North American collegiate rugby rivalries.
"I thought the forwards played really well but the backfield tackling was really poor," said UBC head coach Spence McTavish. "But we had some young guys in there and they made some mistakes. But even then, there were some older guys in there too."
The visiting Bears retain the 'World Cup' after sweeping both games this year against UBC. The Golden Bears have now won 13 of the past 16 series, which dates back to 1921.
California entered today's game at Thunderbird Stadium with a one-point lead in the series, after winning the first match in San Francisco 13-12.
That game featured just one try but today's matchup was vastly different as Brendan Daly scored for California 11 minutes into the game with his team already up 3-0. A Jake Anderson convert made it 10-0 for the visitors.
UBC replied four minutes later when Dayffd Samuel jumped on a loose ball in the in-goal area to give the Thunderbirds their first try of the game. The Golden Bears lead was cut to 10-5.
A UBC penalty goal from
Carlin Hamstra at 25 minutes made it 10-8 but that was as close as the home team, cheered on by a vocal crowd, would get.
California would score two tries, from Brad Harrington and Seamus Kelly, and a convert to take a 22-8 advantage into halftime.
Two more converted scores, by Harrington and Danny Barrett, put the Bears ahead 36-8 early in the second half.
But the Thunderbirds fought on, and after a series of rucks, they were able to move the ball right to the Cal try line before Alex Daniel was able to sneak the ball into the in-goal area at 59 minutes.
A Hamstra convert made the score 36-15.
Then around the 66-minute mark, UBC was able to score again in similar fashion as Alex Kam recorded a try after another series of rucks between the two teams. The convert was missed so the Thunderbirds trailed by 16 points, 36-20, entering the final stretch of the game.
"We actually exerted much more pressure on them in the second half just by keeping the ball tight," said McTavish. "The guys, they fought well but we were taking too many gambles and trying to throw the ball around too much in the second half. "
The visitors rounded out the scoring with another converted try (Paul Bosco) and penalty kick.
In total, California fullback Jake Anderson accounted for 16 Bears points on two penalties and five conversions.
UBC missed the talents of
Harry Jones, who is with the Canadian national squad that won their division at the Hong Kong Sevens tournament to become one of the International Rugby Board's core teams.
The Thunderbirds were also hurt by an early injury, about five minutes into the game, to Shane Bates.
"A very good defender," said McTavish of Bates.
"I knew going into the game that we were going to struggle defensively in the back line," said McTavish.
But he praised his players for their effort.
"They went out there and they kept their heads up and they kept persevering and they didn't give up," said McTavish. "All in all, I guess that's really all you can ask as a head coach."
The varsity rugby season has finished for the Thunderbirds. Today marked the final games for three UBC players: Jonathan Hill, Kyle Isherwood and Tristian Slade.
"This is a tough way to go out," said Hill. "We had four, five younger guys starting in their first game ever for the Thunderbirds. That's a very experienced team we're playing against and it's hard to step in under that much pressure. I still think we all played well. I think we made the best of a bad situation."
"This is my 10th time playing against Cal and I've only been fortunate to win a couple of the games but these are always good to get the alumni out and these are the games everyone gets up for," said Hill.
And when asked about a favourite memory of playing for UBC, Hill laughed.
"Running fitness in the snow," Hill replied. "Every year."
