Chico State has secured a sport in the USA Rugby Spring D1AA playoffs with two wins over the weekend to take the Pacific Western Conference.

The Wildcats handed Nevada a 78-12 defeat in the conference semifinal on Saturday. Flyhallf Anton Holm logged an astounding 33 points thanks to three tries and nine conversions. Lock forward Kevin Watson scored two tries, including the first one two minutes into the game, while wing Kyle Abey, No. 8 Tyler Guillen, flanker Jake Wiley, center Christopher Rico, and reserves Doug Terry and Jacob McPherson also touched down.

Watch the D1AA Spring Final LIVE on FloRugby May 4

Stanford also won on Saturday in a much closer game, coming back from 35-24 down to score three tries in the last 11 minutes to win 41-35 over Fresno State. Fresno State scrumhalf Rodney Wilkerson toted Stanford for two early tries to help stale the Bulldogs to a 25-7 lead 33 minutes in. But key tries from Guy Kasznik and Ariel Bong before the break gave Stanford hope.

Still, midway through the second half, Fresno State flyhallf Seth Olivera put his side up 35-24. Time for the comeback. Prop Charles Vidrine, wing Blake Brandon, and reserve back Samuel Curry all scored tries to secure a dramatic win for Stanford.

No. 8 Ryan Crowley scored two for Stanford in that game.

So on to Sunday’s final, and this time a slow start for Stanford was too much to overcome. Lock Brandon Roscoe and prop Jake Parker put the Wildcats ahead 12-0. And Watson and Abey, with Holm converting three of those four, made it 26-5 at halftime.

Holm added to his tally in the second half, finishing the day with five conversions and a try for 15 points, and 48 on the weekend. Fullback Anthony Riley also scored and Roscoe got his second to seal the deal 45-20.

Stanford may well have done enough to garner an at-large bid to the playoffs. Western Washington, Cal State Long Beach and Dartmouth are already qualified. 

Also in D1AA, South Florida and Central Florida both won big and are on a collision course in the Florida league. All eyes are on next week to see whether Iowa State or Kansas State wins in the heart of America. We may see both teams from there, too, as eight teams look to get to the final on May 4.