BERKELEY, Calif.—Top-ranked Cal proved to be too much for Central Washington men's rugby on Friday as the Bears handed the Wildcats a 48-19 setback in a battle of Top 10-ranked programs at Witter Field.
 
Playing their fourth consecutive Top 15 opponent, the Wildcats (5-3) struggled to mount any offense against the Bears (10-0) until the latter stages of the match.
 
"A serious lesson was dealt tonight by Cal who were ruthless at the basics of the game and made us pay consistently around the contact area of the game all night long," CWU head coach Todd Thornley said. "Sure, we showed some fight and some innovation at times to create opportunities, but the ruthless mindset to consistently execute on both sides of the ball was wanting again. We can only learn from this experience and are very grateful to have taken on a storied program like Cal who will pose a problem for anyone they play going forward".
 
Cal wasted no time in taking control of the match, scoring four trys in the early going for a 20-0 lead.
 
The Bears added another try late in the first half to make it 27-0 before the Wildcats got on the board. Marques Fuala'au found the touch line just before halftime, and the conversion by Jack Tregoning was good as the Wildcats pulled to within 27-7.
 
Jack Wendling cut the deficit to 27-14 with a try and a conversion by Tregoning midway through the second half, but Cal continued to advance. The Bears eventually forged a 48-14 lead before Noah Wright scored a try to get the 'Cats within 49-19 but they would get no closer.
 
The Wildcats next play their final regular season home match of the spring when they host Trinity Western, 2:30 p.m., Saturday, March 19 at Tomlinson Stadium.