VANCOUVER – The UBC Thunderbirds men's rugby team failed to re-take the 'World Cup', dropping the back end of the two-game series 38-6 to the California Golden Bears at Thunderbird Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
RUGM: T-Birds v. Cal (Mar. 24, 2013) Gallery
The aggregate score ended up 66-24 in favour of California. For the seventh consecutive year, the Golden Bears return south with the 'Cup', which dates back to 1921, the year the Vancouver World newspaper donated the trophy.
After losing 28-18 at California on Feb. 16, UBC needed an 11-point victory on Sunday to take the 'World Cup.'
UBC's
Brock Staller opened the scoring by converting a penalty in 24th minute. He added another in the 39th to tie the closely-contested game at 6-6. Neither team gained much in the first half, but Jake Anderson was able to give his California squad a 9-6 lead going into the break when he kicked his third penalty of the half in the 42nd minute.
The second half was a much different story as the Golden Bears rolled, recording 29 more unanswered points. In between the California scores, UBC was able to move the ball to the opposing try line twice but were stymied on both occasions. Down 21-6, the Thunderbirds also missed a penalty kick from the middle of the field.
UBC has a short week to prepare for another big rival. On Friday, March 29, the Thunderbirds will host the Victoria Vikes for the second game of the Brian Wightman 'Boot' series. The match will be played at Lord Rugby Field, in front of the brand-new Gerald McGavin UBC Rugby Centre. The kickoff is scheduled for 2:30 p.m.
Victoria won the first game 54-28 back on Sept. 28. The Vikes lead the series with an all-time record of 38-17-1.
SCORING SUMMARY
24:00 UBC (
Brock Staller) 3
25:00 California (Jake Anderson) 3
28:00 California (Anderson) 3
39:00 UBC (Staller) 3
42:00 California (Anderson) 3
Halftime Score: California 9, UBC 6
46:00 California (Seamus Kelly) 5, (Anderson) 2
52:00 California (Jack O'Beirne) 5
74:00 California (Jake Anderson) 3
76:00 California (Jared Braun) 5, (Anderson) 2
80:00 California (Kelly) 5, (Anderson) 2
