SAN LUIS OBISPO, CALIF. – California rugby claimed its sixth tournament title in program history at the West Coast Collegiate 7s tournament hosted by Cal Poly. The Bears' two sides went 6-1 combined in the fall sevens season opener.
 
Cal sent two sides to the tournament – "Cal" and the "Bears" – with the Bears being a developmental side of the program. Both sides swept their pools, with Cal rolling through Sac State 47-0 the Saint Mary's second team 24-0. The Bears beat UC Santa Cruz 40-12 and then took another victory over UCLA 22-7.
 
In the semifinals round, the Cal squad continued their unbeaten streak, beating Cal Poly 24-7 to secure a spot in the Cup Finals. The Bears team fell to the Saint Mary's first team 14-24, the only loss for the Golden Bears' program over the seven games played at Saturday's tournament.
 
Cal and the Gaels then went head-to-head in the Cup Finals. In a gritty first half, the two teams traded tries over the seven minutes, with Cal pulling ahead 14-7 at the intermission. The Blue & Gold then hit their stride and ran away with the game in the second half, scoring three more tries and only allowing one more by the Gaels. Cal won the contest 31-14 to take down Saint Mary's and claim the tournament title.
 
All 28 players who traveled to San Luis Obispo saw playing time on the sevens pitch. 33 tries were scored by 17 different players among the two squads. 
 
Alex Aguero and Oliver Newall were the top try-scorers, both contributing four throughout the day. Aguero was later recognized as Tournament MVP for his impressive performance on the field.
 
Jack Casey logged five conversions, the most of any Cal player at the tournament. Co-captain Max Schumacher was the top point-scorer, contributing 16 points between his two tries and three conversions.
 
"There are always interesting lessons on offer from competition," Cal head coach Jack Clark said. "My sense is the team is both pleased to win and also keenly aware of the list of things we need to improve to be at our best. It will be good to be back on the training paddock and intentional about our development."
 
The Bears now have two weeks to prepare for the Treasure Island edition of the West Coast Collegiate 7s. The tournament will be played over two days the weekend of Oct. 22-23.
 
Scoring Timelines
 
Cal vs Sac State
1:00 – Brundage 5, O'Connell 2
2:00 – Aguero 5, Brundage 2
4:00 – Beaubelle 5
5:00 – Clark 5, Brundage 2
8:00 – Tomasin 5, O'Connell 2
11:00 – Kirsten 5, O'Connell 2
13:00 – O'Connell 5, Brundage 2
Final: 47-0
 
Bears vs UCSC
1:00 – Newall 5, Casey 2
3:00 – Casey 5, Casey 2
4:00 – Brown 5, Casey 2
7:00 – UCSC 5, UCSC 2
7:30 – Pollmann 5, Openshaw 2
9:00 – Saint 5
13:00 – M. Freeman 5, Saint 2
14:00 – UCSC 5, UCSC 2
Final: 40-12
 
Cal vs Saint Mary's
1:00 – Kirsten 5
5:00 – Kirsten 5, Schumacher 2
11:00 – Schumacher 5, Salter 2
12:00 – Santos 5
Final: 24-0
 
Bears vs UCLA
2:00 – Deely 5
6:00 – Newall 5
7:00 – Deely 5
9:00 – UCLA 5, UCLA 2
13:00 – Dowgiewicz 5, Williams 2
Final: 22-7
 
Cal vs Cal Poly
1:00 – Clark 5
3:00 – Brundage 5, Brundage 2
5:00 – Aguero 5
9:00 – Aguero 5, Kirsten 2
1:00 – Cal Poly 5, Cal Poly 2
Final: 24-7
 
Bears vs Saint Mary's
1:00 – SMC 5, SMC 2
3:00 – SMC 5
5:00 – SMC 5
7:00 – Newall 5, Casey 2
9:00 – Newall 5, Casey 2
13:00 – SMC 5, SMC 2
Final: 14-24
 
Cal vs Saint Mary's
1:00 – Santos 5, Schumacher 2
4:00 – SMC 5, SMC 2
5:00 – Schumacher 5, O'Connell 2
8:00 – SMC 5, SMC 2
10:00 – Aguero 5, Schumacher 2
12:00 – Clark 5
13:00 – Tomasin 5
Final: 31-14