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The battle for the World Cup is at the half way point, and our Sturdy Golden Bears will face a 5 point deficit.
University British Columbia Thunderbirds scored the lone two tries of the match (both by Andrew Coe) and the Bears just couldn't find the try zone, despite Harry Adolphus making 5 penalty kicks in this one.
The match ended with some crazy scrums as the Bears tried to power into the try zone but the stout Thunderbirds defense made a final stand.
Bears will return to face American opponents before a rematch up in Vancouver in a month plus.
GO BEARS!
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California Golden Bears (5-0) vs. University of British Columbia Thunderbirds (10-0)
When: 11 AM PT
Where: Witter Field, Berkeley, CA
TV: Pac-12 Networks
The biggest collegiate rugby rivalry of North America is back today in the home leg of the home-and-home for the Golden Bears with the Canadians visitors from Vancouver. The two squads play for the coveted World Cup every year since 1921, with a trophy created by the Vancouver World newspaper; the cup is awarded after two matches with the total point being the tiebreaker should the two squads split the two matches.
#TBT #WorldCup trophy at BCHoF, rivalry alive Sat11am v @UBCRugby Witter Rugby Field adv tix https://t.co/D9uy5vaYhP pic.twitter.com/vinxC2CvRT
— Cal Varsity Rugby (@CalVarsityRugby) February 4, 2016
Here are the winners of the last 10 bouts for the World Cup trophy:
2015: UBC - two teams split the two matches, winning on each other's homefield; UBC
2014: UBC - another split of the matches, with UBC winning big at home to erase a 9 point Cal edge after the first leg; they took home the World Cup for the first time since 2006
2013: Cal - sweep for the Bears
2012: Cal - sweep for the Bears, squeaker at Treasure Island and a rout in Vancouver
2011: Cal - sweep for the Bears
2010: Cal - sweep for the Bears
2009: Cal - a split; big win for the Bears at home; one point loss at Vancouver
2008: Cal - a split; 18 point home win for the Bears, 5 point loss on the road
2007: Cal - sweep for the Bears
2006: UBC - a split; Bears won by 7 at home but lost by 14 on the road
As you can see, the Golden Bears are hungry to win back the World Cup in 2016 and snap this short winning streak for the Thunderbirds.
This will be the starting lineup that takes the field for the 5-0 Bears, who have outscored their opponents 280-0 so far.
#WorldCup v @UBCRugby Witter Rugby Field gates 10 kickoff 11. Zero chance rain, 100% chance Thunderbirds #GoBears pic.twitter.com/14tQIg1PUM
— Cal Varsity Rugby (@CalVarsityRugby) February 6, 2016
It should be a fun match. I'll try to update on the match in the comments section below as I watch on TV.
GO BEARS!