RUGBY2/7/2026 3:38 PM | By: Cal Athletics


Cal Beats UBC 38-7 In Vancouver

VANCOUVER – California rugby defeated University of British Columbia 38-7 Saturday at Thunderbird Stadium in the 100th match of the World Cup originally named after the WORLD Newspaper of Vancouver. Senior lock Byron Finley scored two tries, while junior Peter Symington scored his first career try in a Bears’ jersey. Scrumhalf Solomon Williams and captain flyhalf Rand Santos added tries and Filip Edstrom went 5-of-5 on conversion kicks as the Bears put together a solid team effort in the victory.
 
The Bears struck first with a powerful push from the forwards to end a goalline stalemate as Finley scored the first try of the game four minutes in. Crisp passing from the Bears on the outside led to a try from Symington to add on to the Bears lead 11 minutes into the contest.
 
The teams went over 20 minutes in a deadlock, before a try from Williams extended the Bears lead, and a penalty kick by Edstrom helped the Bears build a 24-0 halftime lead.
 
Shifty moves from captain Rand Santos helped him find a gap on the right side of the defense as the Bears scored another try five minutes into the second half to extend the lead. Another try from Finley capped off some sustained pressure from the Bears on the UBC goal line.The Thunderbirds got on the scoreboard with a try in the 75th minute.
 
After the game, Thunderbirds coach Didier Banse shared his appreciation for Cal.
 
“That’s a fantastic team,” Banse said. “We knew we were coming up against the reigning National Champs, so it was going to be a test for us. “I’m very proud of our guys for being able to step in and wear that jersey and represent it well, because that was a tough Cal team.”
 
After the game, Cal captain Rand Santos shared his thoughts on the victory.
 
“It was awesome to be a part of the 100th annual Cal UBC match,” Santos said. “It was definitely gritty conditions, but awesome to come out on top against a physical and competitive UBC side.”
 
Senior hooker and vice captain Cade Crist shared a similar sentiment as his captain.
 
“Obviously coming up to Vancouver is a challenge in itself,” Crist said. “The boys traveled well, showed up, and gave a full 80 minute effort. So, it’s something to be very proud of and to take forward as we go into the rest of our season.”
 
The Bears continue their road trips next week, heading to Arizona for matchups against University of Arizona and Grand Canyon University.
 
Scoring Timeline:
Cal at UBC
4:00  –  Byron Finley, 5, Filip Edstrom, 2
11:00 – Peter Symington, 5, Filip Edstrom, 2
33:00 – Solomon Williams, 5, Filip Edstrom, 2
39:00 – Filip Edstrom, 3
Half: Cal, 24, UBC, 0
50:00 – Rand Santos, 5, Filip Edstrom, 2
69:00 – Byron Finley, 5, Filip Edstrom, 2
75:00 – Alister Marshall, 5, Ben Beauchamp, 2
Final: Cal, 38, UBC, 7
 
Starting XV:
1. Oliver Kirk 2. Alex Vieira (Talae Tuimaunei 63′) 3. Cade Crist (Jayden Flores 69′) 4. Miles Malone (Flynn O’Connell 24′) 5. Byron Finley 6. Brice Muller 7. Chris Biller 8. Oliver Teague 9. Solomon Williams (Cormac Saint 69′) 10. Rand Santos (James Curtis 69′) 11. Nate Comiskey (Gur Levy 69′) 12. Filip Edstrom (Oliver Sinclair 69′) 13. Peter Symington 14. Emmett Cook (Jack Byszio 63′) 15. Oliver Newall
Â