🏉 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. 💙💛🏉