VANCOUVER – A strong second-half comeback attempt by the UBC men's rugby team fell short in the first leg of the annual World Cup series against the California Golden Bears Saturday in Berkeley, Calif., as the Thunderbirds fell 24-22.
 
Evan Norris scored a try in the 13th minute to give UBC a 5-3 edge at Witter Field, but the Golden Bears responded with tries from Sebastian Bader (20th minute) and Adam Roeske, who scored in the 32nd and 36th minutes to put the home side up 24-5 at halftime.
 

@UBCRugby falls 22-24 to @CalVarsityRugby in CAL. Two game series and a chance to win the Cup @ubc on Sunday March 3rd. Looking forward to playing their top team in this rich, storied competition on home turf. Well done to all. Onward.

— Curry Hitchborn (@CurryHitchborn) February 23, 2019

Nick Collett touched down in the in-goal area in the 57th minute before Jake Ikeda scored in the 68th to get UBC within nine points at 24-15.
 
Canadian interational player Ben LeSage got a try in the 82nd minute, which was then converted by Flynn Heyes to close the Thunderbirds' deficit to just two points. However, California was able to hang on to its lead until the final whistle.
 
"Cal came out with some serious intensity that we didn't really react to quickly enough," said UBC coach Bruce Rainer. "I'm proud of the boys for coming back, although it wasn't quite enough. It's a great rivalry and this is a fantastic setting."
 
The Thunderbirds will have to make up the slim two-point margin in the second leg to retain the World Cup for the sixth-straight year. The rematch takes place Sunday, March 4 at the Gerald McGavin UBC Rugby Centre in Vancouver.
 
Last season, UBC trailed by three going into the second match, which it won by 24 points.

- with files from California Golden Bears Athletics