If you like watching Cal rugby, stay in Berkeley. The Bears aren’t going anywhere — for awhile, at least.

Cal’s four-match home stand at Witter Rugby Field was extended to seven when the squad scheduled a March 1 tilt against New Mexico.

The Bears had hoped to face Belmont Shore that day, but the 2007 Rugby Super League champion declined the invitation.

Before March 1? Cal continues one of the toughest stretches of its schedule, with matches against British Columbia in the World Cup Series on Wednesday afternoon and No. 4 Utah on Saturday.

The home stretch continues through March 9 against Texas A&M.

As for the Lobos, I’ll give them one thing. They’ve got guts.

There seems to be quite a bit of space between No. 1 Cal and every other rugby team. More specifically, the space between the Bears and No. 3 Saint Mary’s grew substantially Saturday when the former outsted the Gaels, 78-22, at Witter Rugby Field.

The 22 points by the Gaels — 17 in the first half — were the most allowed by Cal this season. Coach Jack Clark and several of the players were not exactly happy about that.

Maybe British Columbia will be the tough non-league competition the Bears hoped for against 2006 Rugby Super League champion OMBAC. The 2008 World Cup Series begins Wednesday afternoon at Witter Rugby Field. See you there!