Kendal Rugby Union Football Club supporters will have to wait until October for the club’s first 2026/27 home league fixture at Mint Bridge, after a Rugby Football Union ruling delayed the opening of competitive Community Rugby.

The RFU said the change was linked to hard ground and drought conditions. Kendal’s first scheduled home league match is now against Macclesfield on Saturday 3 October, with Leek’s rearranged visit following on Saturday 10 October.

Revised fixtures at Mint Bridge

The decision affects more than Kendal’s original fixture against Leek. The planned away match at Wharfedale on Saturday 22 August was cancelled, while the trip to Rochdale and the home meeting with Leek were rearranged.

Kendal’s currently published early-season schedule is:

  • North Ribblesdale at Mint Bridge — Friday 28 August, 7.15pm
  • Kendal at Keswick in the Cumbria Cup — 5 September
  • Kendal at Stockport — Saturday 26 September
  • Macclesfield at Mint Bridge — Saturday 3 October
  • Leek at Mint Bridge — Saturday 10 October

The club is due to visit Rochdale on 19 December, with a further Rochdale fixture listed at Mint Bridge on 10 April. Supporters have been advised to check for updates as the RFU’s arrangements develop. Kendal said the relevant fixtures would be published once confirmed.

Why the league programme changed

The RFU’s approach was intended to prevent clubs with access to 3G training pitches gaining an advantage over teams playing on difficult natural surfaces. Kendal’s home league campaign has therefore been delayed while playing conditions are addressed.

The final make-up of Kendal’s division was still unsettled. Macclesfield, who finished third in National League 2 North, were initially reallocated to National League 2 West. Kendal said that would have involved lengthy journeys, while proposals to place Macclesfield and Lymm in an expanded 16-team North League did not secure agreement.

Macclesfield later returned to regional rugby and were included in Regional 1 North West. Loughborough Students replaced them in National Two West, while Burton moved from Regional 1 North West to Regional 1 Midlands.

Kendal assessed Macclesfield as a possible league favourite or top-three play-off contender, although that view remained provisional while the RFU finalised the division. Further changes were expected to involve Dronfield and Sandal, but had not been confirmed.

The fixture listed for Dronfield on 7 November appeared to have been switched to an away match, with another home meeting scheduled for 20 February. Kendal suggested this might be connected to the Kendal Fireworks event at Mint Bridge, but made clear that this was only a guess.

Coaching team stays in place

Kendal’s coaching team remains unchanged after guiding the first team to seventh place last season. Dan Bowman continues as head coach, supported by Chris Park, Ian Voortman and Reece Tomlinson.

Alex Ryder is leaving for newly promoted Vale of Lune. He did not play for Kendal’s First XV last season but was described as an important member of the title-winning Second XV. Ryder made his debut against Glossop in December 2021, went on to make 69 appearances and scored three tries.

Former Kendal player Tadhg Butler is also joining Vale of Lune. Butler made 26 appearances and scored one try after debuting in the 2022 Cup match at Upper Eden; he later played for Ambleside.

Promotion and relegation results have also shaped the likely division. Harrogate beat Anselmians 41-40 and Rossendale 21-14 to return to the National Leagues. Vale of Lune beat Manchester 16-13, while York defeated Pocklington 25-21.