Kendal Rugby Union Football Club supporters will have to wait until October to see the club begin its 2026/27 home league campaign at Mint Bridge. The Rugby Football Union has delayed the opening of competitive Community Rugby because of hard ground and drought conditions.
Kendal’s first scheduled home league fixture is now against Macclesfield on Saturday 3 October. Leek’s rearranged visit to Mint Bridge is due to follow on Saturday 10 October.
What has changed at Mint Bridge
The ruling affects more than the club’s original home match against Leek. Kendal’s planned away fixture at Wharfedale on Saturday 22 August was cancelled, while the trip to Rochdale and the home meeting with Leek were rearranged.
The currently published early-season schedule includes the following fixtures:
- 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
Kendal is due to visit Rochdale on 19 December, with another Rochdale fixture listed at Mint Bridge on 10 April. Supporters have been advised to check for updates as the RFU’s arrangements develop, while the club said relevant fixtures would be published once confirmed.
Why the league programme was delayed
The RFU’s approach was intended to stop clubs with access to 3G training pitches gaining an advantage over teams playing on difficult natural surfaces. Kendal’s home league campaign has consequently been held back 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 meant lengthy journeys, while proposals to put 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 assessment 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 unchanged
The coaching team remains in place after guiding Kendal’s first team to seventh 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, and later played for Ambleside.
Promotion and relegation results have also influenced 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.
