UCLA Recap 2020

arizona holds on for key road win

#13 aRIZONA 27

#17 ucla 26

Kyle Fulton contributed an important try in the victory over the Bruins. (Photo credits: Alex Ho)

Feb 24- Heading in to the 2020 season, Director of Rugby Sean Duffy pointed to close games as the hardest to win, especially on the road. With the first two months of the season about to conclude, this year's Wildcats are off to a great start in that department.

Some gritty late defense was just enough for the visitors in Los Angeles on Saturday, as the Wildcats at one point led 24-0 before a dogged Bruin comeback was staged. "Our finishers, some commitment, and some luck" was what Duffy described as the ingredients needed to help Arizona to a much needed victory in the PAC Conference. Arizona got started on the back of some well worked attack and a Jon Rogers try in the left corner, with the Fullback turned Winger making room for the surging Lucas Agasse at Fullback. Fourteen phases of play in the UCLA half was the patience needed for Center Louis MacLaughlin to touch down for an important try before a score by Riley Kerr off of a Wildcat lineout saw the Australian Number Eight touch down and Flyhalf Robert Figley set up Kyle Fulton for a try to end the half. In the second half, the Wildcats' were forced to defend for much of the game, mustering only a Figley penalty and holding on in the final minutes with reserves like Hooker Gabe Coray-Dozier and Lock Dan Hagan providing much-needed impact. Duffy also highlighted the growth of young players like James Rivers who took a step forward in their development "James continues to impress, from his defense to his carrying, and he's growing more vocal each week. Sky is the limit for him and it's become clear why Hong Kong is so high on his potential" said Dufy.

For the Wildcats, the win puts them at 3-2 on the season and is their first at Wallis Annenberg Stadium in program history, having defeated UCLA in a neutral site match in their last trip there. Arizona now turns their attention to Utah in the final regular season home match for their seniors and the 51st Anniversary Weekend for the program.

Tickets are on sale at the North Gate of Sitton Field day of the match, with UA students receiving free admission with their Catcard.

Scoring vs UCLA

Tries: Fulton, Rogers, Kerr, MacLaughlin

Conv: Figley- 2/4

Pen: Figley- 1/1

Lineup vs UCLA

1- Ryan Thompson

2- Chris McBride

3- Raymond Weiner

4- Billy Esposito

5- James Rivers

6- Bronson Teles (C)