With three games done in the California Conference, Saint Mary's, as expected, leads.
Perhaps, though, the degree of that lead is a bit more of a surprise, as the Gaels are averaging over 100 points per games after two victories. (Saint Mary's Big Over Broncos) Still on their docket is San Diego State, Cal Poly, and Sacramento State. Meanwhile, Sac State opened their account with a 41-15 loss to UC Santa Barbara.
Having started their California Conference season with a big loss to Saint Mary's, UCSB rebounded nicely, taking a 27-0 lead into the break. Flyhalf Cameron Gerlach did well to punish Sac State penalties - something UCSB failed to do against the Gaels despite plenty of opportunities to go for goal. Gerlach kicked four penalties in the first half, while fullback Omar Naguib and wing Anthony Singh each touched down. Gerlach converted one of those tries for the 27.
In the second half, scrumhalf Harry Jenkins zipped over with three minutes gone, and Gerlach converted. Sacramento State mounted a bit of a comeback after that and scored three tries. However, they could not convert any. And UCSB had the last laugh with a try from wing Steven Ruvalcaba.
"Sac State were big and athletic, ran the ball hard, and made big hits," said UCSB Head Coach Tim Lewis. "UCSB played well together as a team. Our forwards won the ball and the backs scored the tries. It was a really a good level of rugby played by both teams."
It's early days yet, but here are the standings so far:
| California Conference | W | L | T | Pf | Pa | Pd | BT | BL | Pts |
| St. Mary's | 2 | 0 | 0 | 202 | 15 | 187 | 2 | 0 | 10 |
| UCSB | 1 | 1 | 0 | 41 | 111 | -70 | 1 | 0 | 5 |
| San Diego State | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Cal Poly | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Sacramento State | 0 | 1 | 0 | 15 | 41 | -26 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Santa Clara | 0 | 1 | 0 | 15 | 106 | -91 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
