🏉 Match Report: Penalties. Wind. Win. | Yate 1st XV vs Clifton 3s (28–10)

Written by Rugby Rob

There’s an old saying in rugby, good teams find a way to win, even when they’re not at their best. That was exactly the story at Yate Outdoor Sports Complex on Saturday, as Yate 1st made it three wins from three with a gritty 28–10 victory over a young, determined Clifton 3s side.

The day started with a laugh — Reece managed to drive to Clifton, only to realise we were playing at home! Thankfully, he made it back in time, setting the tone for what would be an unpredictable afternoon (and a great post-match story).

The conditions were brutal — gusting wind swirling around YOSC made handling tricky and discipline even trickier. Despite the elements, Yate started strong, with the forwards setting the platform and the backs putting together some promising phases. But this wasn’t the free-flowing performance we’ve seen in recent weeks; mistakes crept in, penalties mounted, and the rhythm never quite clicked.

Still, winning ugly is the mark of a growing side. The lads dug deep and showed real character to grind out the result. Brad Mears led from the front, putting in another captain’s performance, setting the standard in both work rate and attitude. Off the bench, Garyn brought real grunt and go-forward, giving the pack fresh energy when it mattered most.

The mood after the final whistle was oddly flat — a reflection of the team’s own high standards. The boys knew they hadn’t hit their stride, but sitting three-from-three at the start of the season is exactly where any coach would want to be. The key takeaways? Cut out the simple errors, tighten up the discipline, and keep building.

The side line support once again made a huge difference — despite the horrendous wind, the crowd turned out in force, loud and loyal as ever. The energy from the supporters gave the lads that extra push when the legs started to tire.

Clifton deserve huge respect too, young, strong, and relentless, they never stopped playing and made Yate fight for every inch.

If we had to sum up the match in three words?💨 Penalties. Wind. Win.

Three from three - not bad for a team still finding its best form. The challenge now? Keep pushing, keep improving, and keep that winning streak alive. 💚💙

🏉 Match Report: Power. Pride. Passion. | Yate Ladies vs Sherborne (12–36)

Written by Rugby Rose

History was made this weekend as Yate Ladies took to the field for their very first league match, and what a game it was! Facing a strong and experienced Sherborne side, our ladies showed exactly what Yate Rugby is all about, heart, determination, and pride.

With 10 debut players wearing the Yate shirt for the first time, this was more than just a match — it was a statement. From the very first whistle, Yate came out firing, matching Sherborne for physicality and intensity. The standout moment for me? The ferocious tackling up front; none more so than George, who made three huge tackles in a row, setting the tone for what was to come. It was pure grit and passion.

There were, of course, some pre-match nerves (who wouldn’t have them on such a big occasion?), but as the game went on, those nerves melted into confidence and pride. By the final whistle, every single player walked off the pitch knowing they had left everything out there. The scoreboard might have read 12–36, but the score didn’t tell the full story, this was a team growing, learning, and believing in themselves.

Both coaches struggled to pick a standout player because every single one gave their all. But a special mention goes to Paige Merrett, who stepped up in style, covering two positions in the forwards and two in the backs. That level of versatility and commitment embodies what this Yate Ladies team is about.

The support on the side lines was something special too; parents, partners, teammates, and fans cheering every tackle, every carry, every point. At Yate RFC, we say we’re a family, and on Sunday that couldn’t have been clearer. The energy from our supporters helped lift the team throughout the 80 minutes.

This game was more than just a debut league fixture, it was the beginning of a journey. A chance for this group to test themselves, to grow together, and to show what belief and teamwork can achieve.

Massive respect goes to Sherborne. A tough, skilful, and spirited opponent. Games like this are what rugby is all about, two teams giving everything, learning, improving, and walking away with smiles and mutual respect.

If we had to sum up the match in three words?💪 Power. Pride. Passion.

Yate Ladies, your journey has truly begun, and we couldn’t be prouder. 💙💚

🏉 Match Report from Rugby Rob – Yate Rugby U14s Combination

Two Sundays ago, our Yate Rugby U14 Combination side faced Bath Rugby Club in what

turned out to be a tough but valuable learning experience.

Our lads played some fantastic rugby, we dominated possession and territory, with nearly 90% of the ball in the first half — but somehow, we couldn’t turn those opportunities into points. Despite all that pressure, we just didn’t cross the whitewash often enough, and Bath capitalised on their chances to take a narrow 15–10 win.

At times, we missed scoring opportunities by cutting back inside instead of looking for space, but the intent and energy were there. Defensively, the boys were immense, to concede only three tries against some strong Bath runners (especially when we were down to 14 men at times) showed real heart and grit.

That result made it two close defeats in a row (after Cleve), but again, performances were improving. The message midweek was clear: it was time for a reset. The lads came together to reflect — Who are we? What’s our identity? How do we want to play our rugby?

And that reset came to life on Sunday in our development game against Kingswood.

From the first whistle, it was clear the mindset had shifted. The lads were switched on, the game plan was in everyone’s mind, and we executed brilliantly in the first quarter. Defence was strong again, but this time, the attack was firing on all cylinders.

Some outstanding runs from Renkio, Gene, and Xander really made a difference, while the forwards dominated throughout, setting up quick, clean ball into Harry and Seb at scrum-half and fly-half. The tempo, the support play, and the confidence were brilliant to watch.

As it was a development match, the coaches moved players into new positions to test their adaptability — but it didn’t faze them one bit. The lads played to their strengths, showed great rugby IQ, and proved just how far they’ve come as a team.

This group has started to build its identity — a team that works hard, plays smart, and sticks together. Now it’s about keeping that momentum, holding that identity, and continuing to grow as we move deeper into the season.

Plenty more to come from this group. 💪💙💛

Rugby Rob🏉✨

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