BERKELEY - The California rugby team booked their ticket to the National Championship Saturday, defeating Saint Mary's 59-19 in a heavyweight duel. The Bears scored nine tries by five different players as Nate Comiskey had his third straight hat trick and Talae Tuimaunei had his first varsity game of the season with multiple tries.
 
"Saint Mary's is always a strong opponent," captain Rand Santos said after the game. "I'm proud of how the boys played and how we stayed together."
 
The Bears played stifling defense against the Gaels, allowing only three tries. Cal scored first by way of a penalty try, and Saint Mary's evened it up in the ninth minute.
 
Four minutes later, a strong run from Ryan Wenstrom set up Cal deep in Saint Mary's territory. Wenstrom passed the ball back to Brice Muller, who found senior Max Threlkeld. Threlkeld broke out of a tackle finding junior Talae Tuimaunei. Tuimaunei ran through two defenders, extending the Cal lead.
 
The Bears scored again in the 24th minute as senior Solomon Williams found Alex Vieira, who returned to the Cal lineup after missing the last two games. Vieira passed the ball to captain Rand Santos, who found Edstrom. Edstrom released the ball just as he was tackled, finding Comiskey for his first try of the game.
 
Comiskey scored again just before the half, and Williams added some insurance for the Bears with a diving try, as Cal built a 31-7 lead at halftime.
 
Comiskey scored his third try of the day to open the second half, and Tuimaunei added his second try of the game just 14 minutes later.
 
Saint Mary's scored two more tries in the second half, but tries from Cormac Saint, who came on for Williams, and Michál de Beer, who came on for Santos, gave the Bears the 59-19 victory.
 
"I'm proud of the forwards, they brought the physical battle today," vice captain Solomon Williams said. "They were able to play decently quick, and that maul really helped us today."
 
Next Saturday, Cal will face the United States Naval Academy in the D1A Collegiate National Championship.
 
Scoring Timeline:
Cal vs. Saint Mary's
5:00 – Cal (Penalty Try), 7
9:00 – Benny Hatch, 5, Ollie Cline, 2 (Saint Mary's)
13:00 – Talae Tuimaunei, 5
24:00 – Nate Comiskey, 5
37:00 – Nate Comiskey, 5
40:00 – Solomon Williams, 5 Filip Edstrom, 2
Half: Cal, 31, Saint Mary's, 7
46:00 – Nate Comiskey, 5, Filip Edstrom, 2
51:00 – Atalea Tengei, 5, Ollie Cline, 2
62:00 – Talae Tuimaunei, 5, Filip Edstrom, 2
68:00 – Cormac Saint, 5, Filip Edstrom, 2
74:00 – Brian McKeon, 5
79:00 – Michál de Beer, 5, Filip Edstrom, 2
Final: Cal, 59, Saint Mary's, 19
 
Starting XV:
1. Talae Tuimaunei (Jayden Flores 73') 2. Alex Vieira 3. Cade Crist (William Schreckengaust 76') 4. Byron Finley 5. Seamus Deely 6. Brice Muller (Tommy Rainsford 68') 7. Ryan Wenstrom (Elliott Lewis 66') 8. Oliver Teague (Elias Smith 66') 9. Solomon Williams (Cormac Saint 62') 10. Rand Santos (Michál de Beer 62') 11. Masi Koi 12. Filip Edstrom 13. Max Threlkeld 14. Nate Comiskey 15. Oliver Newall