The California rugby team delivered a clinical performance on Saturday, ensuring their place in the next round of the postseason as the Bears Roll Past San Diego with a commanding 88-5 victory. The win, secured in the first round of the 2026 D1A National Collegiate Championships, serves as a loud statement of intent from a Berkeley squad that is blending veteran leadership with an increasingly dangerous supporting cast.
While the final score suggests a blowout, the match began as a tentative chess match. For the first several minutes, neither side could establish a rhythmic advantage, with San Diego matching the Bears’ physicality in the trenches. However, the deadlock broke in the 10th minute when sophomore Tom Archer surged through the goal line, capping off a drive assisted by freshman William Schreckengaust to ignite the Cal offense.
From that point, the match transformed into a showcase of ball movement and depth. Cal managed to find the try line 14 times, with 10 different players contributing to the scoring effort. The offensive onslaught was headlined by Nate Comiskey and Emmett Cook, both of whom recorded hat tricks with three tries apiece, demonstrating the Bears’ ability to strike from multiple positions on the pitch.
A Masterclass in Ball Movement
The first half was defined by a series of high-speed sequences that left the San Diego defense scrambling. In the 15th minute, the Bears executed a seamless wide-out play; Cormac Saint linked up with Michál de Beer, who found Max Threlkeld, who finally shifted the ball to junior Nate Comiskey for his first score of the afternoon.
The momentum peaked in the 24th minute with a play that will likely live in the season’s highlight reels. Oliver Newall ignited the sequence with a deep run into San Diego territory before executing a precise foot pass to Threlkeld. As Threlkeld was being brought down by defenders, he managed a desperate, overhead flick to Seamus Deely, who sprinted ahead to secure the try. By the time the halftime whistle blew, Cal had built a 45-0 lead, effectively deciding the outcome before the break.
The efficiency of the Bears’ attack was bolstered by the steady boot of Cormac Saint, who was instrumental not only in distribution but in converting multiple tries to keep the scoreboard ticking upward.
Testing the Depth Chart
With a massive lead established, the coaching staff used the second half to rotate the roster and test the readiness of the reserves. At the interval, key starters including Cade Crist, Oliver Newall, and Brice Muller were subbed out to make room for sophomore Broc Daily, freshman Julian Bishop, and junior Brady Weingart.
The transition was seamless. Just one minute into the second half, Cal recovered the opening kickoff and executed five consecutive passes in a rapid-fire sequence that ended with Bishop finding Emmett Cook for his second try. This ability to maintain a high tempo with second-string players is a critical asset as the D1A National Collegiate Championships progress toward the final.
The reserves continued to exploit gaps in the San Diego line, scoring six more times in the latter half. Although San Diego managed to break the clean sheet with a late try in the 72nd minute, the effort was a mere footnote in a game dominated by the Berkeley side. Peter Symington, who entered the match for Threlkeld, provided the final exclamation point with a try in the closing three minutes.
Key Performance Metrics
| Player | Tries | Key Contribution |
|---|---|---|
| Nate Comiskey | 3 | Hat trick; early offensive catalyst |
| Emmett Cook | 3 | Hat trick; second-half momentum |
| Cormac Saint | 1 | Primary playmaker and conversion specialist |
| Max Threlkeld | 1 | Assist on Deely try; senior leadership |
| Tom Archer | 1 | Opened the scoring in the 10th minute |
Leadership and the Road to the Quarterfinals
Following the match, the Bears’ leadership emphasized the importance of the reserves’ contributions. Game-day captain Cade Crist noted that the victory was as much about the bench as it was about the starters.
“We have guys who haven’t had a lot of experience in big games that had to step up and fill some shoes,” Crist said. “I think they did a really fine job, and I’m proud of them.”
Senior vice captain Max Threlkeld echoed those sentiments, though he remained focused on the team’s overall execution and stamina. “It wasn’t perfect, but I’m proud of our effort,” Threlkeld said. “We played a full 80 minutes and got the job done.”
The victory ensures Cal’s advancement to the D1A Quarterfinals, where the level of competition will rise sharply. For a team that can score 88 points while resting its primary stars, the outlook for the remainder of the tournament is promising. The Cal Athletics rugby program will now shift its focus toward scouting their next opponent and refining their defensive cohesion to match their offensive brilliance.
The Bears are now awaiting the official bracket confirmation for the quarterfinal round, with the next scheduled match details to be released by the tournament committee later this week.
Do you think the Bears’ depth is enough to carry them to a national title? Share your thoughts in the comments below or join the conversation on social media.
