Rugby Rose Reports: Yate 2s Finish 2025 on a High

What a way to sign off 2025.On a crisp afternoon, with both Yate sides playing at home, Yate 2s got the job done with a 21–14 win over Kingswood 2s in the final friendly of the year and honestly, the result wasn’t even the best part of the day.

The Standout Moment

For me, nothing beats this: two Yate teams at home, two wins on the board. There’s something special about that — the buzz around the club, the smiles on faces, and that feeling that everything’s pulling in the same direction. Wins like that go beyond the scoreboard.

Mood Check: Before & After

The lads went into kick-off exactly how you want them to — positive, confident, and playing every game like promotion winners. That mindset really showed. By full-time? Even better. The changing room was full of laughter, post-match beers, and a generous supply of chocolate courtesy of the captain. Honestly, elite leadership.

Pack Power 💪

If we’re talking performances, the pack absolutely stood out today. The scrummaging was strong all game long, setting a real platform and giving the backs confidence to play. There’s something hugely satisfying about watching a pack front up and stay dominant for the full 80.

What Went Well

Togetherness. Focus. Calm heads. The team stuck together, didn’t drift from the task, and stayed locked in on winning the game. No panic, no overthinking, just disciplined rugby and belief in each other.

What’s Next?

Absolutely nothing rugby-related and that’s a good thing. This group has earned some well-deserved time off to enjoy Christmas with family and friends. Rest, reset, and come back ready.

Respect to Kingswood

As always, Kingswood were tough opposition. Games against them are never easy, and this was no different. They dug in, challenged everything, and made Yate work hard for the win and yes, we were delighted to reclaim the “wooden spoon” we play for between us. A proper contest played in the right spirit.

Three Words to Sum It Up

Passion. Focus. Enjoyment.

A brilliant way to close out the year for Yate 2s, strong performances, great vibes, and a clubhouse full of smiles. Roll on 2026. 💙💛🏉

Rugby Riley Reports: Yate U10s – Two Games, One Incredible Sunday

Wow. Just… wow. I’m still trying to pick my jaw up off the floor after watching the Yate Under 10s play two matches on Sunday, because what I saw genuinely blew me away. The energy, the skill level, the teamwork — this was rugby played with confidence, joy and real understanding of the game. What a way to finish 2025. The future? Seriously bright.

First things first, a huge thank you to Whitehall for organising the fixture and for being such a brilliant rugby club. They played some outstanding rugby themselves, and honestly, both sets of kids put on displays that would give some seniors a proper run for their money. Add to that Frampton Cotterell, who were part of this triangular fixture and very kindly lent us players due to injuries and holidays; that right there is the true spirit of rugby. Massive respect and thanks.

Standout Moments

If I had to pick one thing (which is hard), it was the link-up play. The players were constantly scanning for space, moving defenders, and making the pass at exactly the right time. It wasn’t one-off moments, it was repeated, smart rugby. Ball movement like that at this age is something special.

Energy Levels: OFF THE SCALE

Being the last games of the year, you could feel it — the kids were absolutely buzzing. From the first whistle to the last, it was high tempo, high smiles, and relentless effort. No one wanted the day to end.

Individual Shout-Outs (Though This Was a Team Performance)

• Logan was back and throwing himself into big tackles like he’d never been away fearless and committed. Also his first try for the club...watching him and his dad embrace on the side line was heart warming....even moved this Rugby report...I wasn't crying that was a fly in my eye!!!!

  
  

• Niamh continues to grow week by week. With the introduction of the scrum, her confidence has soared, and this week she slotted into the 9 shirt like it was made for her calm distribution, great decision-making, and setting up some cracking team tries.

  
  

Skills on Show

Tackling, breakdown work, passing accuracy, support lines — honestly, it was breath taking stuff. Players were rarely isolated; support was everywhere. One-player efforts were rare because everyone was there, working together.

Learning & Looking Ahead

As good as it was, the focus now turns back to Wednesday night development sessions, where the squad will keep sharpening their rucking and tackling. If this group keeps progressing at this rate, watch this space.

The Opposition

Whitehall brought strong line speed and real intensity in defence, which properly tested Yate’s ball protection and decision-making, exactly what you want in a great fixture. Competitive, respectful, and played in the right spirit.

Special mention too to Marcus (Whitehall coach) and Ollie (Yate player), absolutely loving the rugby vibes, with laughter and encouragement up and down the pitch between you two...This is GRASS ROOTS RUGBY.

That joy is infectious, and it showed in how the kids played. Both you and Pete should be proud of your team - not sure on the swan dives thou!!!

Side line Support

As always, the support from the side lines was exceptional loud, positive, and constant. It makes such a difference, and the players felt it.

Three Words to Sum It All Up

Fun. Focus. Passion.

From one stunned reporter to everyone involved, players, coaches, parents, and clubs. THANK YOU. That was a joy to watch, and I already can’t wait for what’s coming next in 2026. 🏉💙💛

🏉 T1 Rugby Night at Lockleaze Monday Night Under the lights...

Yate RFC x Lockleaze Bristol Bears Foundation

Match report in conversation with Sideline Sam & Try-Line Tilly

Sam: Alright Tilly, I’ll say it straight off — as new members of the reporting team, usually Rob and Rose do T1, but we felt we had to call this one because we wanted to learn about this rugby format. And wow… what a way to learn.

Tilly: Absolutely, Sam. From the minute we arrived at Lockleaze Sports Centre, you could feel it this wasn’t just a match, it was a proper rugby get-together. Smiles everywhere, music, chatter, and that unmistakable buzz you only get when rugby is being played for the love of it.

Sam: And T1 really is something special, isn’t it? Non-contact, but still real rugby. Running lines, support play, decision-making, teamwork — it’s all there, just without the collisions.

Tilly: Exactly. It’s such a brilliant entry point into the game, especially for growing women’s rugby. You still get the shape and flow of rugby, and everyone leaves sweaty, smiling, and wanting more.

Sam: Huge credit has to go to Matt Kitson, Yate’s T1 lead, working with Kirsty Horner from the Bristol Bears Foundation to make this happen. Yate brought 15 players, teams were mixed and matched, and honestly, it summed up everything good about community rugby.

Tilly: And of course… it wouldn’t be T1 without the rule that always causes drama.

Both (laughing):Last try wins.

Sam: Which somehow again ended with Matt on the losing side — despite him being the one who calls it!

Tilly: At this point, I genuinely fear for anyone standing next to him when that call is made 😄

Sam: It was also brilliant to have Delaney Burns and Nicola Beet from the Bristol Bears Ladies involved. Natalie refereed the game and did a cracking job keeping it flowing, while Delaney brought that calm, classy presence on the pitch.

Tilly: Now… let’s talk moments. Because there were plenty.

Sam: Oh yes. Starting with Jade, loudly announcing "Stupid Game anyway” after knocking on — only to immediately turn around grinning from ear to ear, and continued to laugh at Kelvin.

Tilly: Classic Jade. And how about Charlotte, rocking up late and somehow ending up fully kitted out in borrowed gear from half the squad? If that’s not grassroots rugby, I don’t know what is.

Sam: Then there was Matt’s outrageous chip over the top honestly, it deserved applause…

Tilly:…until Kelvin casually picked it up and ran the try in anyway 😂 - Good team work through, both with bad knees putting in a performance...although I bet they fell it int he morning....lol

Sam: But for me, the real highlights were the combinations. Nathaniel’s blistering pace was frightening two or three tries at least and his link-up with Scarlet on the outside was electric.

Tilly: Those two together? Passing, pace, awareness they absolutely tore into the defence. It was brilliant to watch. And remember if this was full contact you'd never get to see these play along side each other...this is what is great about T1...loving it...

Sam: And of course, we have to mention the moment that ended it all…

Tilly: Chris’s last-try winner for the Bristol Bears Foundation team. Cue laughter, cheers, and a very familiar look on Matt’s face.

Sam: The match lasted about 40 minutes, but it flew by. High energy, loads of laughs, proper fitness, and such a welcoming, inclusive vibe.

Tilly: That’s the thing, Sam this night wasn’t about the scoreboard. It was about growing the women’s game, building confidence, and showing just how powerful rugby can be when it’s done right.

Sam: Huge thanks to everyone who took part, and especially to Kirsty and Matt for organising such a brilliant evening - I think there is more to come from these 2...they seem very competitive...

Tilly: Totally....we will keep an eye on that...but for the next match I can't wait, hopefully same energy next time, please.

Sam :Absolutely. We’ll be there — notepad ready, smiles guaranteed.