Western falls 103-5 at Cal, turns to home finale

Western Washington University Men's Rugby lost 103-5 to the University of California at Witter Field in Berkeley on Saturday, November 7. Western's points came from a single unconverted try.

Head coach Adam Roberts addressed the result directly in his review to the WWU rugby community. "There is no hiding from the result," he wrote, calling the margin difficult to swallow while pointing to the opportunity in front of the program.

A schedule built to test

Roberts said the schedule was put together on purpose to measure Western against the highest level available and find out where the group stands. He described the jump as a pivotal moment for the program, and said growing pains were expected along the way.

He was complimentary about the opposition and the setting, describing Cal as a well established program that has clearly set a high standard. Saturday, he said, showed the players exactly what that level looks like. He also thanked everyone who made the trip to Berkeley.

In its infancy at this level

Roberts said the program is very much in its infancy at this level, and that the group is being asked a lot of physically, mentally and emotionally. Now that the players have seen the standard first hand, he said the responsibility is to go to work and close the gap.

He also asked the players to look at who is standing beside them when things get hard. Those are the moments, he said, when the strongest bonds are built and when teams are made. He signed off: "Humble. Hungry. All in."

Home finale, Saturday, November 14

Western is back at deWilde Rugby & Polo Fields in Ferndale on Saturday, November 14:

• 10:00 AM: Women vs Washington State
• 10:00 AM: Men's 3rd XV vs UW (TBC)
• 12:00 PM: Men's 1st XV vs BYU
• 1:45 PM: Cascade Cup vs Central Washington

A Parents and Alumni gathering follows at K2 Kulshan Brewing Company, 1538 Kentucky St, Bellingham, from 5:00 to 8:00 PM. Players, parents, alumni and supporters are all welcome.