In the first Division I match-up between the sister campuses, the University of California-San Diego Tritons overran the UCLA Lady Bruins 22-7, launching the 2006 Southern California Rugby Football Union (SCRFU) season.

UCLA was more aggressive from the opening whistle, though the Bruins went into ruck too high and from the side, suffering a slew of penalties. The Tritons, for their part, capitalized on the slow reaction of Bruin players to jump ahead early with a 10th minute try. The Tritons conversion effort fell short, making the score 5-0.

The Bruins' back three, led by Shu Ong, then organized a strong flat-line defense, forcing UCSD to find room on the outside. Following a 15-minute goal line stand by UCLA, the Bruins were hit with a knock-on penalty, allowing UCSD to get the ball under the posts for another try. This time, the Tritons converted, leaving the pitch at half-time with a 12-0 lead.

Despite the score, the Triton effort was ragged. "This was our first week back from a six-week winter break and the first time our "A" side has played together," said Triton coach Carla Smith. "We dropped numerous balls in the first half and didn't start out as aggressively as usual."

Things turned around in the opening of the second half. UCSD came out quickly, making more use of its backline to score another try from the outside in the 45th minute. The tally remained 17-0 when UCSD missed the conversion. 

UCLA then fought back with open field pick-and-runs to close in on the goal, only to be penalized for a forward pass. The Tritons then worked the ball back down the field, but a knock-on set up a scrum to UCLA.  When the ball flew from the scrum, UCLA flanker Kelly Griffin scooped it up, ran through a knot of Triton  defenders and broke downfield for an 50-meter solo try. UCLA's conversion brought the score to 17-7 in the 57th minute.

After the following kick-off, the Bruins aimed downfield, but got caught making another forward pass. The ensuing UCSD scrum started a five-minute back-and-forth across the field until a play on the ground cost the Bruins a penalty ten meters out. UCSD's eight-man, Jill Duggan, who'd led the Triton charge, was not to be denied as she subsequently worked her way to the outside and around for an unconverted try.

UCLA managed one more run in the match, but when the Bruins threatened, UCSD rucked and kicked the ball for touch to end the game. 

"Overall, we were rusty," noted Coach Smith. "But the ladies are always rusty in their first game. We had eight who were first- or second-year players just now learning the game." Veterans smoothed out the Triton performance according to Smith, who especially credited seniors Grace Mejia-Wetzel and Marea Blue in the backline, together with forwards Jill Duggan and Kristen Driskell, for their playmaking.

"Andrea Chan, our senior lineout jumper, got hurt in the first 10 minutes, so the team really was a missmatch that had never practiced before," Smith added.

Assessing her opponents, Smith acknowledged the quickness and aggressiveness of the UCLA side, noting that the Bruins played well for a young team. "They're scrappy and never give up," she said.

UCLA Coach Felicia Burt summed up her side's performance saying, "In the end, the Bruins held their heads high, knowing that they played an excellent match, have things to work on, and will be ready for more action next weekend in San Diego. This season is expected to be nothing but intense all the way through."