Cal is into the College Premier Division semifinals after the Bears defeated Life University 43-10 Saturday at St. Mary’s Pat Vincent Field in Moraga, Calif.

The star of the day was a player who has been playing quietly effective rugby for several years now. Flanker Tom Rooke notched three tries, thrusting him into a limelight he deserves, but has rarely sought. Rooke scored two in a row in the first half to take a 10-3 lead and make it 24-3.

Helping out was flyhalf James Bailes, who had an outstanding day kicking goals – he missed just one conversion and recorded 13 points. Before the game, Cal Head Coach Jack Clark had praised Bailes for his overall play, but especially his organization of the backline and his goalkicking.

Cal led 24-3 at halftime, with Neil Barrett contributing the other Bears try, while Bailes and Life fullback Joe Cowley both kicked penalties.

In the second half it didn’t take long for the Bears to pick up where they left off, with center Seamus Kelly scoring two minutes in, and then Rooke adding his third.

Life got their lone try through Jonathan Marshall before Jared Braun’s try rounded out the scoring.

It was a clear Cal victory, but certainly not a poor showing by Life. This season, only three full-length games have been closer – St. Mary’s, Central Washington and UBC.

Cal 43
Tries: Rooke 3, N. Barrett, Kelly, Braun
Convs: Bailes 5
Pens: Bailes

Life 10
Tries: Marshall
Convs: Cowley
Pens: Cowley