ALMOST 30 years since college football was last played in Australia, Cal and Hawaii treated a colourful Sydney crowd to the best American football has to offer in the 2016 season opener.

Marching bands, cheerleaders, tailgating, hundreds of players and support staff, and a crowd of 61,247 converged on ANZ Stadium to watch the University of California Golden Bears defeat the University of Hawaii Rainbow Warriors 51-31.

New Golden Bears quarterback Davis Webb looked in good touch in his first game for Cal since transferring from Texas Tech, throwing for 441 yards, four touchdowns and a rushing score.

Chad Hansen was a favourite target for Webb, connecting with the California native for 14 catches off 16 targets totalling 160 yards, and twice finding him in the endzone.

Running back Khalfani Muhammad was a standout at running back and as a returner on special teams, contributing 212 all-purpose yards, including a touchdown.

“All credit goes to Hawaii, they played really hard tonight,” Webb said of the Rainbow Warriors.

“We didn’t know what they were going to do defensively and they did a good job throwing us off our grove in the first and second quarter, and that’s a credit to their coaching staff.

“I’m just really proud of guys like Chad [Hansen] and Khalfani [Muhammad] and guys like that who played their butts off.”

Underdogs Hawaii were going to have to play bold football to come out victorious against their much more fancied Pac-12 opponents, and from the outset it was clear the Rainbow Warriors would attempt just that. But an on-side kick-off to start the game was unsuccessful, giving Cal strong early field position which eventually led to a 35-yard rushing touchdown by Muhammad for the game’s opening score.

Clearly the crowd favourite, Hawaii levelled soon after through wide receiver Marcus Kemp on the end of a nice pass by Rainbow Warriors quarterback Ikaika Woolsey (234 yards, 17/34 completions, one interception). Kemp beat Cal’s safety with some nifty tip-toe footwork on the sideline before striding into the endzone and planting the ball on the ground, in what can only be described as an homage to the rugby codes normally played at Homebush.

Hawaii Rainbow Warriors' Marcus Kemp scores a touchdown. Source: AP

Out to prove they were still an offensive force to be reckoned since the loss of no.1 NFL draft pick Jared Goff, the ‘Bear Raid’ fired up and hit right back. Webb’s first touchdown pass found Hansen deep in the endzone corner with the junior receiver taking a spectacular leaping catch against two Hawaii defenders.

Under new head coach Nick Rolovich the Rainbow Warriors appeared to have a new-found confidence, and that swagger was most evident in the performance of running back Diocemy Saint Juste (153 yards).

The senior was a wrecking ball all game, but it was his opening 53-yard touchdown run, ducking and weaving through traffic that would have no doubt made former Cal and NFL running back in attendance, Marshawn ‘Beast Mode’ Lynch, very proud.

Hawaii Rainbow Warriors' Diocemy Saint Juste breaks a tackle. Source: AP

Cal got their noses in front in the closing minutes of the first quarter with a field goal by Matt Anderson and with neither team giving an inch, the kicker added another in the second.

As halftime approached, Hansen emerged as a favourite target for Webb with the pair connecting for a touchdown on the wide receiver’s ninth reception of the day. The catch was delightful, the finger gun celebration questionable, but it all pointed to the beginning of a beautiful friendship in Cal’s offense this season.

Warming up under the Australian sun with his new team, Webb took the Golden Bears into the locker room with a 34-14 halftime lead following a cheeky touchdown scamper into the endzone from five yards out, showing off his strength and evasiveness in the process.

Hawaii reduced the deficit with a 42-yard field goal by Rigoberto Sanchez and a rushing touchdown from close range through Steven Lakalaka in the third quarter, but Cal head coach Sonny Dykes’ offensive unit proved difficult to stop as Webb found another receiving target in Melquise Stovall for a 14-yard touchdown.

Golden Bears running back Vic Enwere had an excellent chance to extend Cal’s dominance in the game but dropped the easiest of catches in the endzone, leaving the Bears to settle for three off a good kick from 25 yards out by Anderson.

Receiver Jordan Veasey eventually sealed the game for the Golden Bears with a 33-yard touchdown topping off a brilliant outing by Webb in his Cal debut. A late consolation score by Hawaii’s Paul Harris did little to turn the final result, as the Golden Bears claimed the first ever college football ‘Sydney Cup’.

California Golden Bears' Chad Hansen holds the trophy presented to his team. Source: AP

In good news for American football fans in Australia, coach Dykes suggested a repeat of the event in the near future.

“I’m sure there’ll be more college teams come to Australia, it’s such a great experience,” Cal coach Dykes said after the game.

“I would anticipate this becoming an annual event.”

California Golden Bears' Chad Hansen, right, catches a touchdown pass over Hawaii Rainbow Warriors' Jalen Rogers. Source: AP

Re-live all the action from the game in the blog below!