SALT LAKE CITY (Cal Rugby Release) – California claimed its fourth straight PAC Rugby Conference championship in 15s Saturday with a 46-19 win Saturday over the Utes on McCarthey Field at the University of Utah.

The Golden Bears (13-2, 5-0 PAC) scored eight tries, two apiece from centers Anthony Salaberand Jesse Milne, and added three conversions by flyhalf Russell Webb (3-for-8), while Utah (4-4, 3-2 PAC) got two tries from Chad Gough and three penalty kicks from Josh Weber (3-of-3 pens, 0-for-3 convs).

On an afternoon that got more blustery as the match progressed, Cal stymied Utah's favored attack channels around the fringe and got the ball out to the backline, where six of its eight tries were recorded.

The Bears operated with six positional and/or personnel changes from their last outing, including the insertion of freshman Nathan Becker, who made his biggest collegiate start of his nascent collegiate career at flanker, and Karl Thornton, a replacement reserve last weekend who started at fullback to give Harry Adolphus a rest.

After George Vrame charged down an attempted clearance kick in the fourth minute and Utah restarted with a 22 drop, Cal counter-attacked and scored their first try on a dot-down by Thornton, and the Bears never trailed.

Although their play was far from mistake free, the Bears were satisfied that their effort landed them a PAC title against the Utes for the fourth straight spring.

"We're happy with the victory but have a lot to work on going into the postseason," said match-day captain Scott Walsh. "We wanted to be physical but we also want to stay disciplined against a tough team."

Cal could see the Utes again this year, in either the Varsity Cup, where the Bears and Utes could meet in the semifinals on April 23, or at June’s CTC 7s invitational.

Cal 46

Tries: Thornton, Salaber 2, Kondrat, Milne 2, Dunne, Robles

Convs: Webb 3

Utah 19

Tries: Gough 2

Pens: Weber 3