🏉 Match Day Blog – Yate U9s v Frampton

By Rugby Rose

There are some mornings where the rugby takes a little while to wake up… and this was one of them! With an early start away at Frampton, the Yate Under 9s arrived a little quiet and still shaking the sleep from their boots. But once the game got going, this team certainly found their spark.

By the final whistle the energy had completely flipped — what started as a slow burner turned into a storming performance full of effort, teamwork and heart.

The standout moment of the day, without question, was the performance of Evie. Playing at scrum half, she had an incredible game, popping up everywhere — running, passing, supporting teammates and bringing real energy to the team. It was fantastic to see her confidence grow as the match went on, and she truly made the position her own.

Another player who seemed impossible to stop was Jake, who delivered a performance packed with determination. In attack he had the pace to finish his chances, and in defence he was relentless, pouncing on loose balls and turning them into opportunities. Simply put — he was unplayable.

What really stood out from the team though was how well they did the basics. A strong defensive line, plenty of effort in the tackle, and a lot of heart across the pitch made for a really solid team performance. Sometimes rugby is about big moments, but this was a day where doing the simple things well made all the difference.

There were also some great examples of resilience and teamwork. Alex Crew came on from the bench a little unsure at first, but wasted no time making his mark. Two immediate tackles showed his determination and helped him settle straight into the game.

Another moment that caught the eye was Arne Taylor taking time during the game to encourage some of the newer players. It’s always brilliant to see that kind of leadership and support, especially at such a young age.

A big thank you must also go to Frampton, who once again were fantastic hosts. With similar numbers and a shared approach to youth rugby, matches between these two teams are always played in great spirit.

And finally, a special mention to the parents on the sidelines. Despite the early start — and it being Mother’s Day — the support was fantastic as always. The encouragement from the touchline makes a huge difference to the players, so thank you, especially to all the mums who spent their morning cheering on the team.

There’s always something to work on of course, and next week the focus will be on tackle height, making sure tackles are low, strong and effective.

But overall, this was exactly what youth rugby should be.

Three words to sum it up?

Great. Local. Rugby. 💙💛🏉

🏉 Match Day Report – Yate 1st XV v Old Bristolians 2s

By Rugby Riley

Away days can be tricky in rugby. New surroundings, a loud home crowd, and an opposition determined to defend their turf. But this weekend Yate’s 1st XV travelled to face Old Bristolians 2s and came away with a big 30–12 victory and the full five points — and it started in the best possible way.

Blink and you might have missed it… because Yate came flying out of the blocks.

Within the first five minutes, Yate had crossed the line twice, setting the tone for the afternoon and putting Old Bristolians immediately on the back foot. It was exactly the kind of start every travelling side dreams of — fast, clinical, and full of intent.

The scoreboard might show a strong team performance, but there was one player who kept finding the whitewash. Ricky had an outstanding afternoon, bagging himself a well-deserved hat-trick, finishing off attacking phases and making sure Yate turned pressure into points.

Up front, the scrum was dominant all afternoon. The forwards laid a solid platform, controlling the set piece and giving the backs plenty of quality ball to work with. Combined with a determined defensive effort, it meant Yate were able to manage the game well and keep Old Bristolians chasing.

It wasn’t all comfortable though. As the game moved into the closing stages, Old Bristolians threw everything they had at the Yate try line. What followed was ten minutes of relentless defence, with Yate camped on their own line. Tackle after tackle went in, players scrambling, communicating, and refusing to let the opposition through. It was a brilliant show of pride and resilience that summed up the team’s attitude.

There were also encouraging performances from players still finding their feet in the side. Danny Goverd and Matt Gibbs, both in only their second league games for the club, carried hard and tackled with real determination — the kind of performances that show exciting progress and depth building in the squad.

Credit must also go to Old Bristolians, who were organised, structured and resilient throughout the match. They made Yate work for every point and never stopped competing.

And of course, the travelling support deserves a mention. Seeing so many familiar faces on the sidelines always gives the players that extra lift, and it certainly helped Yate close the game out in those tense final minutes.

At the final whistle there was a clear sense of relief and satisfaction. Five points on the road against a well-drilled side is never easy, and it’s exactly the kind of result that keeps momentum building.

There’s still work to do — particularly around phase play and lineout execution — but if the effort, defence and finishing shown this weekend continue, Yate will be in a strong place heading into next week.

Three words to sum it up?

Tense. Physical. Rewarding. 💙💛🏉

🏉 Festival Weekend Review – U7s & U8s

Match report from Rugby Rob & Rugby Rose

Rugby Rob: Rose… I’m still catching my breath after Saturday’s T1 match, and then straight into the junior festival today. Rugby never stops at Yate!

Rugby Rose:Tell me about it! But what a brilliant weekend of rugby. You were watching the Under 7s, right?

Rugby Rob: I was, and honestly… what a great day for it. The U7s turned up excited, maybe a few nerves in the air because they haven’t quite finished a full tournament yet, but those nerves didn’t last long.

Rugby Rose: That’s always the way once the first whistle goes.

Rugby Rob: Exactly. The team settled quickly and started playing some really nice rugby. What impressed me most was how well they worked together. Whenever they spotted a gap, they attacked it with confidence.

Rugby Rose: Love that. Spotting space is half the battle.

Rugby Rob: And here’s the bit that really blew me away — they were calling and managing their defensive line. At Under 7 level! Players talking to each other, organising where they should be. That’s well beyond what you expect at that age.

Rugby Rose: Future captains everywhere!

Rugby Rob: Honestly though, the best thing? Every single player had a huge smile on their face. Running, tagging, cheering each other on… it was a perfect example of what Yate rugby is all about.

Rugby Rose: That’s brilliant. Meanwhile, over on the Under 8 pitch, things were just as exciting.

Rugby Rob: Go on then, what did you see?

Rugby Rose: Energy. Loads of it. The U8s started the tournament absolutely flying — great teamwork straight away, organised defensive lines, and they were winning tag turnovers again and again.

Rugby Rob: Nice! Nothing coaches love more than a good turnover.

Rugby Rose: Exactly. And the thing I really liked was how they were thinking for themselves. After each phase they were quickly getting back onside and ready for the next play without being told.

Rugby Rob: That’s real game awareness.

Rugby Rose: It was needed too, because the schedule was tough — four games back to back. No time to relax. But this group didn’t slow down at all.

Rugby Rob: Let me guess… they just kept going?

Rugby Rose: Absolutely. They treated every game like it was the first one of the day. Same energy, same enthusiasm, same teamwork.

Rugby Rob: That’s the kind of attitude that builds great teams.

Rugby Rose: It really is. And just like the U7s, they played with smiles, supported each other, and showed exactly why this group is so exciting to watch.

Rugby Rob: So… two age groups, a full day of rugby, and a lot of proud coaches and parents on the sidelines.

Rugby Rose: And all for a great cause too. You can’t ask for much more than that.

Rugby Rob: Another brilliant day for the Yate family.

Rugby Rose: And plenty more to come.

Both: Up The Yate! 💙💛🏉