Cal Rugby Dominates UCLA with a 60-14 Victory
LOS ANGELES – In a commanding performance, the California Golden Bears rugby team triumphed over the UCLA Bruins with a resounding score of 60-14 at Wallis Annenberg Stadium on Saturday. This win showcased the Bears’ strength and skill as they continue to build momentum this season.
Key Players and Scoring Highlights
Junior Nate Comiskey shone brightly for the Bears, contributing three tries to the team’s total. Chris Biller, stepping into the game mid-way through the first half, also made a significant impact, scoring two tries. Overall, seven different players found the scoreboard, underscoring the team’s depth and versatility.
Freshman Oliver Sinclair was instrumental, providing five conversions, further solidifying Cal’s lead.
First Half Recap
The Bears wasted no time asserting their dominance, with senior Miles Malone scoring a try just under two minutes into the match. However, UCLA quickly responded with a try of their own off an errant Cal kick, leveling the score.
Cal then asserted their strength, scoring three tries within a 12-minute span from Sinclair, senior Oliver Newall, and Comiskey. Despite UCLA’s attempt to press back with another try before halftime, Cal’s Comiskey and Biller’s scores propelled the Bears to a commanding 36-14 lead at the break.
Second Half Dominance
The second half saw an impressive display from Cal, completely shutting out the Bruins. Tries from Comiskey, Biller, sophomore Oliver Kirk, and junior Elias Smith paved the way for Cal’s triumphant victory.
Head coach Jack Clark acknowledged UCLA’s effort during the match, saying, “UCLA gave us a game. They deserve the credit for how poor we looked occasionally. We wish them the best going forward.”
Next Matchup
Looking ahead, the Golden Bears will continue their road trip, with a match scheduled against the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada, on Saturday, February 8, at 12 p.m. This will present another opportunity for the Bears to showcase their prowess on the field.
Scoring Timeline
- 1:00 – Miles Malone, 5, Oliver Sinclair, 2
- 4:00 – UCLA, 5, UCLA, 2
- 14:00 – Oliver Sinclair, 5, Oliver Sinclair, 2
- 20:00 – Nate Comiskey, 5
- 26:00 – Oliver Newall, 5
- 29:00 – UCLA, 5, UCLA, 2
- 36:00 – Nate Comiskey, 5, Oliver Sinclair, 2
- 39:00 – Chris Biller, 5
Halftime: Cal, 36, UCLA, 14
- 49:00 – Nate Comiskey, 5, Oliver Sinclair, 2
- 55:00 – Oliver Kirk, 5, Oliver Sinclair, 2
- 73:00 – Chris Biller, 5
- 79:00 – Elias Smith, 5
Final Score: Cal, 60 – UCLA, 14
Starting XV
- Oliver Kirk
- Cade Crist (sub. Broc Daily at 68′)
- Talae Tuimaunei
- Miles Malone
- Arthur Braxton
- Byron Finley
- Ryan Wenstrom (sub. Chris Biller at 18′)
- Brice Muller (sub. Elias Smith at 68′)
- Solomon Williams (sub. James Curtis at 65′)
- Rand Santos (sub. Elliott Lewis at 68′)
- Masi Koi (sub. Emmett Cook at 9′)
- Oliver Sinclair
- John Warren
- Nate Comiskey
- Oliver Newall
After the main event, the Cal reserves impressively defeated the UCLA reserves with a staggering score of 136-0, demonstrating the depth of talent within the program.
For more updates on Cal Rugby, you can follow the team through their official Cal Athletics page.
