🏉 T1 Match Day Blog – Yate v Whitehall (Valkyries Launch Day)

Rugby Rose: Rob… I’ve got to say it straight away — what a day. New women’s and girls’ team the Valkyries, brand new female changing rooms, sunshine\Rain, rugby… and then someone says “shall we have a game of T1?”.

Rugby Rob: Exactly. First off, massive thank you to Whitehall for inviting us down for their launch. It was a real honour to be part of it — and what better way to celebrate than by throwing a bunch of slightly out-of-breath rugby lovers onto one of the biggest pitches in Bristol.

Rugby Rose: And not just any game… 12 a side on that pitch. I remember looking across it thinking “that’s a lot of grass and not enough lungs.”

Rugby Rob: Especially when Whitehall casually rocked up with about 20 players, and Yate turned up with 14 and a lot of optimism.

Rugby Rose: To be fair though, big shout out to Xander and Linden who jumped across to help their U14 coach from Yate — absolute legends. And speaking of youth… the link-up play between the U14s, including Seb, was unreal - so proud of those boys...

Rugby Rob: The kids made us look slow.

Rugby Rose: We are slow, Rob.

Rugby Rob: Fair point.

Rugby Rose: One player who definitely wasn’t slow though — Scarlet on the wing. Absolute rockets down the touchline all afternoon.

Rugby Rob: Meanwhile in the midfield you had the “experienced campaigners”… Matt, Chris and Russ controlling things like the wily old foxes they are.

Rugby Rose: “Wily old foxes” is a polite way of saying they were standing in the middle trying not to run too far.

Rugby Rob: Game management, Rose. Game management.

Rugby Rose: And we can’t forget Jade, who basically became the side line gaffer aka the boss. Running the subs, shouting instructions, organising everything… I’m pretty sure she ran more from the side-line than some players did on the pitch. Jade was incredible on the pitch as well, bossing that left wing...Jade had a bossy day...

Ruby Rob: Passionate day

Ruby Rose: yeah that's the word....passionate...

Rugby Rob: Meanwhile on the field Leigh, Simon and Becci were making some incredible breaks. The ball was moving beautifully side to side, defensive lines were solid, and there were turnovers everywhere.

Rugby Rose: Honestly, the rugby was brilliant. But what made it special was the laughter. Players laughing, side-lines laughing, people chasing tackles and occasionally just chasing each other.

Rugby Rob: That’s what I love about T1 rugby. It’s like going back to being kids again — jumpers for goalposts, just playing because it’s fun.

Rugby Rose: Huge credit to Whitehall though — they were fantastic. Fizzy and Ricki kept the energy high the whole game. Non-stop smiles, jokes flying everywhere, and some cracking rugby to go with it.

Rugby Rob: But as we all know in T1… last try wins.

Rugby Rose: And this time… it was Yate.

Rugby Rob: An unbelievable intercept from Chris, who somehow appeared out of nowhere like a touch-rugby ninja, and suddenly we’re running in the final score.

Rugby Rose: Cue celebrations… mild celebrations… mostly heavy breathing.

Rugby Rob: But the real win came afterwards — everyone back in the bar. Smiles, stories, laughter, and a lot of “I definitely should have passed that”.

Rugby Rose: Exactly. The result? Totally irrelevant.

Rugby Rob: The fun of the game? That’s everything.

Rugby Rose: Massive congratulations again to Whitehall on launching the Valkyries and the new changing rooms. What a brilliant step for women’s rugby.

Rugby Rob: And don’t worry Whitehall…

Rugby Rose: Next time…

Both: You’re coming to Yate. 🏉💙💛