Cal Rugby won another trophy today by defeating a very game UCla team 18-3, and thus, winning another Dennis Storer Classic championship.
It wasn't all that long ago that a Cal vs. UCla match would see Cal rolling over the Bruins with ease. But last year, the Bruins made big improvements from the time we saw them at this same tournament until the end of the season. And that momentum appears to be continuing.
Cal's defense was sturdy ("Our Sturdy Golden Bear.....") as the Bears only allowed two scores against them in four games. For those who, rightfully, have been disgusted with the tackling performance of our football team, you would be very impressed and proud of the solid tackling the Cal Ruggers displayed over this weekend. Believe me, there was some physicality on the pitch today. I didn't see one football tackle all season that matched a couple of the tackles that were executed today by Cal Rugby players.
The roster appears deep, and Coach Clark manages it in such a way that the program is never without experienced depth by the middle of the season. I doubt Cal will ever have a disappointing season so long as Coach Clark is it's leader.
But UCla is a program on the rise. Those of you who pay attention will recall I warned (last year) that UCla was going to be a much better team by the end of the season, and they were. In the time that elapsed between this same tournament last year, and the end of the season, the UCla rugby team was as different as night and day. As they did last year, today the Bruins played courageously, and tough. This was no laugher as it once was not that long ago. These two teams will play again in February and I am really looking forward to seeing both teams after they've gotten some more matches behind them. It could be a very good game!
This season at Witter is going to be really exciting, and I can not wait to see how this team grows. Big, strong, mentally prepared, and very physical......The Bears are going to give us something to be proud of. And they will do it with dignity and honor. Bring it!!
Also this weekend, I had the opportunity to watch some rugby from some East Bay youth teams: Danville and LaMorinda both competed down here. The future of rugby in the East Bay is encouraging. (PITS was down here too, but I was unable to see them play).
It wasn't all that long ago that a Cal vs. UCla match would see Cal rolling over the Bruins with ease. But last year, the Bruins made big improvements from the time we saw them at this same tournament until the end of the season. And that momentum appears to be continuing.
Cal's defense was sturdy ("Our Sturdy Golden Bear.....") as the Bears only allowed two scores against them in four games. For those who, rightfully, have been disgusted with the tackling performance of our football team, you would be very impressed and proud of the solid tackling the Cal Ruggers displayed over this weekend. Believe me, there was some physicality on the pitch today. I didn't see one football tackle all season that matched a couple of the tackles that were executed today by Cal Rugby players.
The roster appears deep, and Coach Clark manages it in such a way that the program is never without experienced depth by the middle of the season. I doubt Cal will ever have a disappointing season so long as Coach Clark is it's leader.
But UCla is a program on the rise. Those of you who pay attention will recall I warned (last year) that UCla was going to be a much better team by the end of the season, and they were. In the time that elapsed between this same tournament last year, and the end of the season, the UCla rugby team was as different as night and day. As they did last year, today the Bruins played courageously, and tough. This was no laugher as it once was not that long ago. These two teams will play again in February and I am really looking forward to seeing both teams after they've gotten some more matches behind them. It could be a very good game!
This season at Witter is going to be really exciting, and I can not wait to see how this team grows. Big, strong, mentally prepared, and very physical......The Bears are going to give us something to be proud of. And they will do it with dignity and honor. Bring it!!
Also this weekend, I had the opportunity to watch some rugby from some East Bay youth teams: Danville and LaMorinda both competed down here. The future of rugby in the East Bay is encouraging. (PITS was down here too, but I was unable to see them play).