UCSD Men’s Rugby travelled to Norco on the 25th of January to participate in the first league match of the year. The game was split into two halves, 40 minutes each.

UCSD, having learned from their mistakes in the UC Tournament, began the game with a strong defense. Norco retained possession for the first minutes of the game but were unable to make it through the UCSD defense. UCSD then gained possession after a penalty scrum and not long after, scored the first try. This momentum carried them through the next few minutes and UCSD scored yet again bringing the score to 12 - 0. Norco, however, was not out of the match yet. Not long after UCSD’s second try, Norco’s back line was able to answer with a try of their own, bringing the score to 12 - 7. The first half continued with a constant back and forth between the two teams and by the end, the score was 24 - 12.

Coming out of half time, UCSD was determined to keep their lead and in the first few minutes, they were able to begin the second half with a score. The score was then 31 - 12. This still did not shake Norco and with fatigue beginning to set in for the UCSD team who had limited subs, Norco was able to close the score to 31 - 26. Unwilling to give up, the tritons pushed back and scored another try. Norco followed with a try of their own and again UCSD answered once more, bringing the score to 41 - 31. In the final minutes, due to a mistake on the UCSD offense, Norco was able to score yet again. However, they were unable to grasp a final victory due to UCSD’s speed and defense. The game ended with a UCSD victory 41 - 38.