Yate vs St Bernadette’s - Our Under 7's and our Under 8's teams in action

Rugby Riley: I’ve got to start this one, Connor. I came into Sunday still buzzing after watching the Yate men put on a show the day before — and honestly, going from the eldest of the club straight down to the youngest teams… it just summed up everything Yate Rugby is about.

Clubhouse Connor: That’s the beauty of it, isn’t it? Same badge, same pride, just smaller boots. And the U7s and U8s absolutely brought the energy against St Bernadette’s.

Rugby Riley: They really did. From the very first whistle you could see how excited they were to be back in a game environment. Focused, switched on, smiling — but ready. That doesn’t always happen at this age, but it did today.

Clubhouse Connor: And what stood out for me straight away was how much of a team performance it was. No single player stealing the headlines — everyone grafting, everyone involved.

Rugby Riley: Exactly that. You genuinely couldn’t pick individuals out because they all gave such a huge effort. Defensively, they were so well organised — forcing tag turnovers again and again, then immediately flipping the switch to attack. That was the difference.

Clubhouse Connor: That transition was superb. Tag, turn, go. At under 7s and under 8s level, that’s some impressive rugby thinking.

Rugby Riley: Absolutely. And yes, there’s still learning to do — getting back onside quicker is something they’ll keep working on — but honestly, to even be talking about that at this age shows how far along they already are.

Clubhouse Connor: St Bernadette’s played their part too. They moved the ball well to the wings and really tested Yate’s defensive shape, forcing the kids to spread their line and make decisions.

Rugby Riley: And they did! Every time they were challenged, they adapted. You could see them communicating, helping each other, pulling together as one unit. That effort to force turnovers and then attack with confidence was brilliant to watch.

Clubhouse Connor: The sideline was something else as well. The Yate family were out in force — cheering, clapping, and I think more than a few parents were genuinely overwhelmed by how well the kids played.

Rugby Riley: You could feel it. Pride everywhere. From the smiles on the kids’ faces to the noise on the touchline — it was rugby at its purest.

Clubhouse Connor: So how do we sum it up?

Rugby Riley: Superb, and what a future we have.

Both: A fantastic team performance. 💙💛