🏉 Rugby Rob’s Match Day Blog Yate U8s vs Thornbury – A Tag Rugby Thriller! 🏉

If you ever needed proof that the future of Yate Rugby is bright, the U8s delivered it in style

this weekend! Under perfect home-game energy and the loud support of our incredible parents, the squad stepped onto the pitch buzzing with excitement—and they absolutely matched it with their performance.

From the first whistle, the U8s showed exactly what they’ve been working on in training. Their teamwork was the true standout today. Phase after phase, they kept their shape, communicated brilliantly, and used the 6-tag rule like seasoned pros—winning multiple turnovers through pure grit and smart rugby. That sort of consistency at this age is something special.

It wasn’t an easy day, with fewer players than usual, but you wouldn’t have known it. Every single child dug deep, backed each other, and pushed forward. By the final whistle, their tired smiles said it all. As a coach, I couldn’t have been prouder of their determination and togetherness.

👏 Player Shoutouts While this was truly a full-team effort, two players deserve an extra nod:

• Jacob H – phenomenal ball-carrying all game. Every run was direct, confident, and full of intent.

• Daniel – work ethic off the charts. He never stopped, never slowed, and lifted everyone around him.

  
  

💡 What We Learned

Today proved the power of short passes, moving forward as a unit, and trusting teammates. These fundamentals will be huge for the team's development as the season unfolds.

🙌 The Supporters

A huge thank you to all the parents—your encouragement, cheers, and positivity make a massive difference. The kids feed off that energy, and today it really showed.

🟡 Three Words to Sum Up the Day:

Progressive. Collaborative. Energetic.

This was more than just a match it was the first real opportunity to see where this growing squad is, how much they’ve already developed, and the exciting potential they have for the season ahead.

And a quick word on Thornbury: what a brilliant, organised, high-energy side. They pushed us, matched our effort, and helped create a fantastic showcase of local U8 rugby talent. Today’s winner? Rugby itself.

Roll on the next one, U8s, you’re going places!

Rugby Rob 🏉🔥

🏉 Rugby Rob’s Match Day Report – Yate U11s vs Thornbury 🏉

Hello everyone, Rugby Rob here, and before we get into the action, I want to give a massive warm welcome to our newest matchday reporter, Rugby Riley! After hearing Rose and I moan about how busy Yate Rugby has become (in the best possible way!), Riley has jumped in to help cover our incredible Academy teams. And not a moment too soon, these kids are flying!

Now onto our brilliant Under 11s, who were back in action this weekend in another big test against a strong Thornbury side. And let me tell you… these players did not disappoint.

🔥 All Heart, All Effort, All Game

The Under 11s gave absolutely everything today. From the first whistle to the last, their intensity, determination, and passion were on full display. Despite being a little short on numbers, every single player stepped up and played with real heart.

One of the standout improvements this week was how confidently the team set up their rucks, clean, protected, and organised. That’s the sort of progress you love to see at this age. The work they’ve been putting in at training is clearly paying off.

Our captain Martha deserves a special mention for leading from the front. Whether we were in attack or defence, she was constantly organising, setting lines, and keeping the team focused. Fantastic leadership.

💥 Scrums, Confidence & Learning

With this only being their second game of the season, and with players still getting used to the introduction of scrums, the group adapted brilliantly. A special shout to Caitlin, who did an excellent job stepping into the scrum-half role, quick decisions, good hands, and improving every minute.

Thornbury were a seriously strong opposition, well drilled, physical, and clever with their ripping technique. They knew how to steal possession and turn it into momentum, and that made our players think fast and respond. And respond they did, with bravery in the tackle, commitment at the breakdown, and great defensive pressure.

🤝 Teamwork, Support & Spirit

What really stood out today was the team’s support play. Whenever someone made a break — boom — there was a teammate on their shoulder. When someone carried into contact, bang, someone else was there to clear out. THAT is what makes a team.

High intensity. High work rate. High smiles.

Exactly what Under 11s rugby should look like.

🌟 Midweek Training – A Big Step Forward!

Momentum is building in this age group, and I’m buzzing to say that thanks to incredible work from our Chairman and Club Development Officers, this team, along with the Under 10s, now has midweek training secured!

This means even more development, more teamwork, and more FUN.

📅 Wednesdays 18:30–19:30

📍 Yate Outdoor Sports Complex

💷 Completely FREE for all Under 10s, 11s and 12s (School years 5, 6 & 7)

This group is full of potential — future Colts, future South Glos Falcons, future leaders of our club. And extra training means even more growth for everyone.

⚡ Three Words That Sum Up Today

Effort. Progress. Pride.

Another huge step forward for this brilliant squad. Keep training hard, keep supporting each other, and keep enjoying every minute of your rugby journey. Big future ahead for this team, and I’m excited to be along for the ride.

See you all next week,

Rugby Rob 🏉

🏉 Rugby Rose’s Match Day Report – Yate U10s vs Thornbury 🏉

Hello everyone, Rugby Rose here, and before we even get into today’s action… a HUGE warm welcome to Rugby Riley, our newest match day reporter! He was over at the Under 14s clash with Midsomer Norton this weekend and absolutely smashed his first outing. With so much happening across the club — especially in our buzzing Academy — we’re thrilled to have him join myself and Rugby Rob. The trio is complete!

Now… onto our incredible Under 10s, who took on a very strong Thornbury side this weekend — and WOW, what a morning of rugby.

🔥 Energy, Effort, and Pure Determination

Right from the first whistle, you could feel the excitement. The team were up for it, full of energy, smiles, and ready to take on anything. This group always brings passion, but today they stepped it up another level.

Thornbury came with real quality — strong carrying, quick ball movement, and relentless pressure that really tested our defensive line. But our U10s? They rose to it. Hard hits, brave tackles, and incredible teamwork throughout. A special mention has to go to Logan, who put in some absolutely spectacular tackles to keep us in the fight. Proper bravery and technique — brilliant stuff.

💥 Standout Moment – The Team Try of the Day

This one came during our second game, and honestly… it was textbook rugby.

Scrummage deep in our own half. A strong, determined carry from Dennis. Perfect ruck support from Ollie. Then phase after phase — three quick, controlled passages of play, shifting the ball away from danger. We punched through the defensive line and went the distance for a brilliant try.

Whether it was Ollie or Harry who dotted it down (I’ll blame the excitement for the memory lapse! 😅), the finish doesn’t even matter — because it was the teamwork that made it magic. A complete squad effort from start to finish.

🧠 Learning, Adapting, Growing

With the introduction of the scrummage at this age, the players had to think more about shape, positioning, and spacing — and they adapted so well. Thornbury challenged us with ball ripping and quick transitions, but as the minutes ticked by, our team improved, adjusted, and grew.

And that’s what this age group is all about — development. Every week they add new pieces to the puzzle, and it’s such a joy to watch.

🌟 Three Words to Sum Up the Day

Progress. Teamwork. Fun.

Exactly what rugby should be.

💙 A Group That Makes Us Proud

I say this every time I watch these young players, but honestly, this group is special. Their work rate for each other, their positivity, their resilience, the way they encourage and lift their teammates… it’s second to none. You can’t help but feel proud standing on the sideline.

And it’s not just the players ,

the coaches and parents bring so much passion and support that it creates an atmosphere you can’t help but get swept up in.

Their effort has even helped us secure new funding, meaning the U10s and U11s will now have midweek training added to their schedule! A massive thank you to our Chairman and Club Development Officers for championing these young stars. This group truly is the future of our club — the boys will grow into our Colts, and our girls into the South Glos Falcons. What a journey we have ahead.

🤝 Want to Join the Fun?

If you’re in Year 5, or know someone who is, come and get stuck in!

• Wednesdays: 18:30–19:30

• Sundays: From 10:00

• All sessions are FREE. Come make friends, build confidence, learn rugby, and enjoy some proper fun in the mud!

Another brilliant day for our Under 10s — progress everywhere, smiles everywhere, and hearts full of rugby.

See you all next week!

Rugby Rose 🌹