Cal Maritime Wins First League Game

 (Vallejo, Jan 20, 2006) – Cal Maritime opened the 2006 season with a strong forward performance to defeat University of Pacific under the Friday night lights in Vallejo. On a wet and muddy field, the Keelhaulers scored nine tries to comfortably win 49-0.

Cal Maritime’s forwards consistently won good ball which allowed the half-backs to launch strong attacks. Scrum half, David Kopra, took advantage of the constant stream of possession to score three tries in the first half. Prop, Chris Flannery, also scored in the first half to take the score to 22-0 at half time.

The second half saw tries by Sean Jenkins, Nate Housman, Adrian Kearns, and Phil Tabyanan. The pick of the tries was a clever kick by Nate Housman helping Kevin Mehrer to score his first try for Cal Maritime.

“We did well to score nine tries considering the wet conditions,” said Head Coach Edward Roberts. “Our forwards did well to secure possession but we still need to improve our ball retention.”

The Keelhaulers played in front of a large vocal crowd for their first league game of the season to take their record to 1-0. “It’s good to see the fellow students and alumni getting behind the rugby program and showing their support”, stated Coach Roberts.

Cal Maritime travels to play Santa Rosa Junior College on Saturday Jan 28, 2006.

Tries: Kopra (3), Tabyanan, Flannery, Housman, Mehrer, Jenkins, Kearns

Cons: Rathbun (2)