🏉 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.

🏉 Clubhouse Connor’s Match Day Report: Yatton 2's 14 – 59 Yate Combination XV - Friendly

"When effort meets enjoyment, good things happen.”

Alright folks, Clubhouse Connor here — coat on, collar up, and leaning happily on the clubhouse rail after watching Yate’s combination XV put together a performance that was as satisfying as it was impressive.

A big scoreline? Absolutely. But there was far more to enjoy than just the numbers.

🤝 Standout Moment – Rugby Wins

Strange as it may sound in a 59–14 victory, my standout moment wasn’t a try.

It was seeing Yate players stepping in to help the game continue as Yatton’s numbers dropped, the result of an abrasive, relentless Yate forward pack. Cliché or not, it genuinely felt like one of those afternoons where rugby was the real winner. Respect shown, spirits kept high, and the game played in the right way.

🧠 Mindset: Focused from the Chaos

For the second week running, a late change of venue and opposition threatened to throw preparation out the window.

But once boots were on and the whistle blew, the focus was razor sharp. The lads were determined to bounce back after last week, and by full time, having slogged it out on a hard pitch, there was real satisfaction around the group. A strong performance, with the quiet knowledge that tougher tests still lie ahead.

🧱 Forwards Front and Centre

After a frustrating outing last week, the forward pack made a serious statement.

In tricky conditions they:

• Carried hard

• Hit excellent lines

• Dominated collisions

• Set the platform all afternoon

As a unit, they were powerful, organised, and hungry — and the backs were only too happy to play off their momentum.

🔄 Support Play on Show

What really stood out was the support in attack.

Offloads were flying — left, right, and centre — and Yatton simply couldn’t cope in the first half. It was confident, heads-up rugby, with players working for each other and keeping the ball alive.

One beautifully worked try down the left summed it all up: a loose ball, a half break, then five offloads through the forwards before Dave Vince powered over for the finish. Proper team rugby.

🧩 Room to Improve

It wasn’t perfect and the lads know it.

Multiple substitutions led to the game becoming a bit scrappy, with shape lost at times and a couple of avoidable tries conceded. Those are lessons that will need tightening up with league opposition returning next week.

Better organisation. Clearer shape. Same intensity.

🌟 Debut & Progress Watch

A couple of big positives to call out:

• Matt Cook, on debut, looked dangerous all afternoon and put in a full 80-minute shift.

• Matt Gibbs, making his first start, continued to show just how much impact he’s bringing to the Yate backline.

Both added real quality and energy.

👏 Credit to Yatton

Facing the slope, the breeze, and a low winter sun, the first half was always going to be tough for the home side.

Despite being down on the scoreboard — and down on numbers — Yatton played right to the final whistle in good spirits. Their effort was rewarded with two well-earned converted tries in the second half. Full respect to them.

🗣️ The 16th Man

Despite being an hour from home, the travelling support was superb.

Voices on the side line, encouragement throughout — it never goes unnoticed and always makes a difference.

🔑 Three Words

Physical. Supportive. Satisfying.

🍻 Final Thoughts from Clubhouse Connor

A big win, played in the right spirit, built on hard work and teamwork.

Plenty to enjoy, a few things to sharpen up, and a squad clearly heading in the right direction.

Now… where’s that post-match pint?

🏉 Rugby Rob’s Match Day Blog

🏉 Rugby Rob’s Match Day Blog

Frampton 2s 28 – 24 Yate 1s

“Not our day… but plenty to be proud of.”

Hey everyone, Rugby Rob here thawed out, dried off, and ready to unpack a windy, wet, gritty afternoon of rugby where Yate didn’t quite get the result they wanted… but absolutely showed enough fight to remind everyone just how dangerous this squad can be.

Let’s get into it.

🌩️ A Chaotic Build-Up, A Determined Start

Between the grim weather and a late venue switch, the pre-match vibes were… let’s say “unique.” But Yate rolled in with shoulders back and a point to prove.

And despite the conditions and injuries, they stuck at it all game long.

🔥 Standout Moment – A Try Worth 60 Metres of Cheer

Space was rare. Time was even rarer. But Yate manufactured both with a beautifully planned forward set-up:

➡️ Crisp phases➡️ Smart tip-on➡️ Backs steaming into daylight

One bruising run, one perfectly timed offload, and suddenly we were flying upfield. A 60-metre surge ending in a try that felt massive heading into half time — especially with the swirling first-half wind behind us.

That score was all skill, belief, and teamwork.

😣 Final Whistle Feelings

Going into the game, there was excitement… but also a sense of uncertainty with the late changes. By full time? Regret the type that stings because everyone knew we had more to give.

But the way Yate clawed back to within one score? That tells you everything about the character of this group.

✨ What We Did Well

It wasn’t a day where much went smoothly. BUT, in between the chaos, the quality still shone through:

• Big carries in tight spaces

• Smart moments under pressure

• Young players stepping up

• Injuries handled with grit and calm

On a different day, with a different bounce of the ball, this match looks very different.

🧱 Team Resilience – The Final 10 Minutes

If you want to bottle the Yate spirit, watch the last 10 minutes again.

Yate:

• Dominated the Frampton pack

• Won collisions

• Played territory perfectly

• Showed clear belief in the comeback

Five more minutes? We’re genuinely asking questions. Maybe even rewriting the score line.

🤝 Credit to Frampton

They’ve had a near-perfect start to their season, and you can see why.

They:

• Played smarter in the conditions

• Took their chances

• Controlled key moments

Fully deserved winners on the day but they know Yate pushed them right to the edge.

⭐ Debut Highlight – Matt Gibbs

What a cameo! In his first Yate appearance, Matt Gibbs made instant impact:

• Strong carries

• Broke tackles

• Put Evan in for a try

Unfortunately his day ended early with a groin strain — but he showed plenty to get excited about. This lad will be one to watch.

🙌 Supporters – Absolute Legends

To everyone who travelled in the rain… switched their plans at the last minute… and still cheered non-stop:

You made the difference.

In that final 20 minutes especially, your voices genuinely lifted the team.

🗣️ Three Words?

I’ll go with:

Fight. Learn. Respond.

💬 Final Thoughts from Rugby Rob

Yes, a tough loss. Yes, frustrations. But the heart, the flashes of quality, the final-quarter dominance… those are the seeds of a big response next week.

This team knows what they’re capable of — and they’re ready to show it.

Onwards, Yate. 💛💙