UCSB Rugby Tournament Report, 1996 April 8
This weekend saw the 31st annual rugby tournament hosted by
the UC Santa Barbara rugby team, and the host Gauchos won the
University division championship for the third year in a row. UCSB
advanced to the semifinals by defeating Claremont 9-8 in sudden death
and Humbolt 9-0; once there, they dismantled Occidental 50-0 to set up
a showdown for the title with archrival Stanford. The Gauchos were
able to prevail, 24-11, thanks to strong play by their forwards, who
were always there to lend needed support at breakdown. One of these,
prop forward Patrick Jones, was named tournament MVP by a panel of
referees. The same panel also named UCSB scrum half Ray Sham most
inspirational, while UC Santa Barbara captain Max Goldstein
distinguished himself by scoring three tries in the semifinal with
Occidental.
The UCSB second squad had a tougher time, falling to
Claremont's seconds, Stanford and UC San Diego in their three
contests. In the club division, Ombac showed why they're defending
national champions, as their second squad went 4-0 and won the
tournament's club trophy, defeating two tough Samoan teams en route,
OC Islanders in the semis and South Bay Tanoa in the championship.
Golden Gate won the 40-and-up Masters Division with a 3-0 record, and
in the one women's rugby game, Claremont defeated Stanford 5-0 in an
exhibition match.
For sportspot, this is Joe P------k.
Last Modified: 1996 September 16
Joe Schlobotnik /
squishy@physics.ucsb.edu