The University of British Columbia Athletics

Berkeley, CA - The Thunderbirds fell to a strong California outfit in a valiant 33-24 loss at Witter Field in Berkeley, California.
 
Things did not start as planned for the Thunderbirds. A telegraphed pass was picked off by Jared Braun and he ran in unopposed from 85 yards out. Jake Anderson made no mistake with the conversion and the Cal Bears led by seven after just eight minutes.
 
UBC did not let the intercept try discourage them though, and within two minutes had their own reply. Nathan Rees touched down to bring the 'Birds back within two points. The conversion was just wide and Berkeley retained a 7-5 lead.
 
An infringement at the breakdown gave Anderson the chance to extend the lead. From 35 yards out he was successful and the Bears moved to 10-5.
 
Ten minutes later, Anderson found himself lining up another kick from a similar distance. Once again he was on target and Cal moved eight points ahead.
 
Berkeley delivered a crushing blow to UBC hopes by scoring once more just before the break. The ball was moved wide and Josh Tucker made his way over in the right corner, Anderson knocked over the conversion and the Cal Bears led 20-5 heading into half-time.
 
Cal resumed their relentless attack on the UBC tryline and scored another try just a few minutes into the second half. Tiaan DeNysschen was the scorer and Anderson pushed the conversion wide to miss his first kick of the game. The unconverted score left UBC 20 points adrift.
 
The 'Birds were not to be outdone and answered back in quick succession. Bryan Tyrer, who had missed so much of the season with an achilles injury, converted his own try in a swift counter to Cal's latest score. UBC trailed by 13 points again entering the final 30 minutes of the game.
 
Harry Adolphus, on for Anderson at fullback, resumed where Anderson left off. He quickly slotted a penalty from out in front and Cal led 28-12.
 
Rees would score again to close the game back up. His second in the match in a stellar first season with UBC brought them back within 11 points. Tyrer's conversion made the deficit only nine with 20 minutes to go.
 
Sean Ferguson was next to get in on the action. His unconverted try trimmed Cal's lead to just four points. Cal 28 – UBC 24.
 
With under ten minutes to go, UBC were pressing hard to get the go-ahead score. An errant pass was to be their undoing again however, Braun poached another intercept and ran away 60 yards to score and ultimately seal the game for Cal.

Francois du Toit was bitterly disappointed to come down on the wrong side of another loss to their bi-annual rivals. 

"We're dissatisfied with our performance but already looking forward to the next meeting," said the fifth-year fullback.

Du Toit who was on his fifth trip to California to play the Golden Bears remains hopeful about the team's home leg in March. 

"I think we did a good job coming back in the second half and if we can minimize our mistakes we'll have a good chance of overturning the deficit."

 
The loss gives Cal a nine point advantage coming into the second leg which is to be played in Vancouver on March 24^th.