Rugby Rob & Rugby Rose: U14s Shine Against St Brendan's

Rob: Hey Rose, wow – back at Whitehall again! Feels like only yesterday we were here for that T1 game.

Rose: I couldn’t agree more, Rob. But this time we were in for a real treat. This combination team of Whitehall, Bristol Quins, and Yate has such an air about them. You can tell they’ve worked incredibly hard in preseason. I got to see a few of their sessions, and honestly, the lads turned up every week. So seeing them tested against a strong side like St Brendan’s was always going to be fascinating.

Rob: And what a way to start the season – a good victory!

⚡ Standout Moments

Rose: For me, the highlight wasn’t a single try or tackle, it was the unity. Rugby is the ultimate team sport, and the way these lads came together, supporting each other, trusting each other – it was incredible.

Rob: Absolutely. You could feel the nervousness before kick-off – facing St Brendan’s, who are a very fit, well-drilled side. But once the whistle blew, the team switched on their rugby brains, leaned into all that preseason fitness work, and just played their game. With only one sub due to holidays, that composure and fitness really mattered.

🙌 Players Who Stood Out

Rose: It was a proper team effort, but we’ve got to give some shoutouts. The pack were immense, giving the backs space to show their flair. Harry and Seb controlled things brilliantly. Tom showed real passion in his running, and Logan – his first ever match – was outstanding.

Rob: And the leadership on the field was something else. Captain Reniko led by example, making the right calls with his fellow leaders. Lucas Iles had a new challenge in the forwards this season and looked like he loved the contact. Joe Hill at 8? Looked like he’s found his natural home – some great tackles there.

Rose: And let’s not forget the backs. They’re rebuilding this season, but with Seb Kitson pulling the strings at fly half and Reniko alongside him, they controlled attack and defence beautifully. Tait and Xander looked like they’d been playing together for years. Tries came from that blend of forward grunt and backline spark, with Reniko and Gene both getting over the line several time. And Seb? Cool as you like – converted the extras every time.  I loved the banter between Reniko and Seb, when Reniko went into the corner and looked at Seb as said “felt like you needed a challenge” with a smile in his face.

Rob: absolutely, but did you hear the team get behind Seb cheering him on, that added at least 5m’s to his kick, a great conversation but to be honest that sense of team, that was the more important

📚 Lessons Learned

Rob: The biggest takeaway? Belief. Every player focused on their own game because they trusted the teammate next to them. That trust is golden.

👏 Supporters’ Impact

Rose: Oh, the parents were brilliant. They’d seen all the preseason effort, so they were just as nervous as the lads before kick-off. But once the whistle blew and the boys turned it on, the nerves disappeared. The energy from the side-line gave the players a real lift.

📝 Final Whistle Thoughts

Rob: If I had to sum up this game in three words – Passion. Teamwork. Focus.

Rose: Spot on. This was an incredible start to what’s going to be a tough season. St Brendan’s are a very organised, talented team, and they tested these lads. But the confidence this win will bring is huge. Both sides were respectful, the ref kept it flowing, and it was just a cracking game of rugby all round.

Rob: Couldn’t have said it better. If this is the foundation, then the journey this season is going to be exciting to watch. Bring it on!

Rugby Rose’s Report: Yate RFC 2s vs Old Elizabethans RFC

With Rob at the 1st team game this week I'm at Yate Outdoor Sports Complex watch our 2's in actions.

The 2s are back, and what a start it was! Yate RFC’s second team kicked off their season with a thrilling 45–43 victory over Old Elizabethans in a friendly that had absolutely everything – tries, tension, and a finish that had the whole side-line holding their breath.

Heading into the game, the atmosphere was buzzing. With so many players available, Yate were not far off fielding three sides – a testament to how the club is growing. That pre-match excitement turned into sheer relief and pride at the final whistle, as the squad pulled together to edge a dramatic win.

There were plenty of standout moments, but one that had the crowd on their feet came from debutant LV. After Yate worked their way into the opposition 22, LV picked from the back of the scrum, dummied not one but two defenders, and scrambled over the line for a debut try to remember.

Across the pitch, individual performances shone through. Mike Mattravers tackled everything that moved, setting the tone defensively. Kurtis Moreton reminded everyone what we’d missed during his injury layoff last season, bringing power and composure. LV impressed on debut, but in such a close contest, it was James Cannons’ boot that proved the difference – a perfect seven from seven off the tee, ensuring Yate edged ahead on the scoreboard.

This game also highlighted lessons to take forward. Once Yate settled into their patterns, they looked dangerous and caused real problems for the opposition. The big squad meant fitness wasn’t an issue, but consistency in the opening 60 minutes is something to sharpen before the next outing.

And let’s not forget the supporters. With the 1s away, the travelling fans and families threw their weight behind the 2s, creating a brilliant atmosphere. Rain or shine, Yate’s supporters always bring the energy – a reminder of the depth of this club both on and off the field.

As for the opposition, Old Elizabethans showed plenty of quality. Their young, strong side caused trouble all over the pitch early on. Injuries took their toll as the game went on, but they’ll no doubt go on to win plenty this season.

Final score: Yate RFC 2s 45 – Old Elizabethans RFC 43.Three words to sum it up? Determined. Heart. Progression.

This was more than just a win – it was proof of how far the 2s have come, and how much potential there is in this squad. With new players bedding in alongside returning faces, the journey this season promises to be something special.

Rugby Rob’s Report: Yate RFC Hit the Ground Running Against Bishopston

Well folks, what a way to kick off the season! The sun was shining, the wind was swirling, and Yate RFC delivered a statement performance with a 54–12 victory over Bishopston. After a strong pre-season, the question was always whether we could turn that momentum into results on the pitch—and the answer was a resounding yes.

Pre-Match Buzz

Going into the game, there was a real sense of excitement in the camp. Training numbers have been through the roof—over 40 players at Thursday’s session—and you could feel the combinations starting to click. Still, Bishopston are no pushovers. They’re a strong, organised side who finished last season in a very deserved second place, and we knew we’d need to start fast to get on top.

The Standout Moments

And start fast we did. Co-captain Ryan Holloway set the tone with a barnstorming 50-metre try, slicing through the defence and leaving the fullback in his wake before dotting down. That moment ignited the side, and from there, Yate maintained control of the game.

The man of the match, though, was Dave Vince. Returning after a frustrating, injury-hit season, Dave was everywhere—carrying hard, tackling even harder, competing over the ball, and capping it all off with a try No doubt… he claims it was from 50 (we’ll let the record books decide on that one).

But this was far from a one-man show. Across the squad, from seasoned campaigners to new faces, the performances were outstanding. The forwards laid a powerful platform, the backs took their chances clinically, and the whole team played with composure and commitment.

Lessons Learned

Despite the emphatic score line, there’s no room for complacency. This league is tough, and today was just the first step in a long journey. The lads know there’s still plenty of work to be done—this result was strong, composed, and committed, but we’ll need to bring that every week.

The Twelfth Man

A special mention has to go to the supporters. On a sunny afternoon, the crowd came out in force, and the noise and energy around the pitch gave the players a real boost. From the first whistle to the last try, the fans were treated to a cracking display, and it’s clear that Yate are building something special both on and off the field.

Final Whistle Reflections

If I had to sum up today’s game in three words? Strong. Composed. Committed.

This wasn’t just a league opener—it was the start of a new chapter. Pre-season anticipation is all well and good, but it only really matters when the whistle blows. Today, Yate delivered. Bishopston showed exactly why they’ll be a threat to every team they face this year, but Yate’s performance was a statement: we’re here, we’re ready, and we’re hungry.

And trust me—if this is how the season begins, I can’t wait to see what comes next.

Until next week,

Rugby Rob 🏉

Your Yate RFC Roving Reporter