🏉 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. 💚💙