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Cal scored 28 unanswered points in the second half of its match with British Columbia Wednesday, claiming a 34-11 victory as well as the annual home-and-away series between the two heavyweights of North American collegiate rugby. 

The Bears trailed 11-6 at the break, but a 45-meter drop goal from fullback John Buchholz just five minutes into the second period sparked Cal’s comeback. At the final whistle, the Bears had tallied three tries to UBC’s one. 

“There are few victories that match up to winning against the Thunderbirds on their home field,” noted Cal head coach Jack Clark. “We were very physical with a couple of goal line stands plus guys hitting rucks and making tackles all day.” 

Buchholz marked his return from injury with 18 points, keeping the Bears in touch with two first half penalties, and then the enormous drop goal that had even his opponents congratulating him after the match. 

The three-pointer signaled a turning of the tide as, shortly after, prop Mike MacDonald came off the side of a ruck to run over a couple of defenders, and drag still others with him into the try zone. 

The Bears made it a one-two punch with No. 8 Shaun Paga making a 30-meter break just minutes later and deftly looping a pass to hooker Chris Draper, who finished the try. The Cal team kept up the pressure and scrumhalf Andy Armstrong crossed for the Bears’ third try later in the half. 

The win returns the “World Cup” to Berkeley and counter-balances the Bears one loss of the season which came in February when UBC managed a 27-25 defeat of Cal. 

The Cal team next plays April 21 in the national championship round of 16.