Cal wins men’s rugby national title in comeback over Life University

Cal won its th national title in -man rugby and its first since on Saturday when the Bears defeated Life University - Freshman flyhalf Filip Edstrom was named Man of the Match as he made six of his eight conversion kicks and opened the scoring with a penalty kick Life led midway through the first half and again midway through the second but the Bears scored the last three tries to seal a win in the highest-scoring national title match in Division -A history Seven different Bears scored tries in addition to Edstrom s points on kicks Masi Koi scored twice seconds into the second half on a chip-and-chase after a turnover and the game-sealing try in the th minute After Life scored consecutive tries to retake the lead in the second half Oliver Newall and Joe Kirsten reached the tryzone within four minutes of each other Then Koi capped the scoring Very demanding encounter There was a lot of resolve in both teams Bears coach Jack Clark stated the university s website It was punch-for-punch for minutes Clark who captured his th career title between -man and sevens also shouted out senior captain Charlie Walsh as one of the legendary Cal captains for his leadership this season