Kendal Rugby Union Football Club began its pre-season preparations with a 31-10 victory over North Ribblesdale at Mint Bridge, in a match the club described as a positive first run-out before the delayed start of the competitive campaign.
The fixture was Kendal’s first, and possibly only, pre-season warm-up game. The club said there was still room for improvement as the new squad became accustomed to playing together, but highlighted its handling and defence as encouraging features of the performance.
North Ribblesdale, from the Settle area, had won its feeder league to secure promotion to the North East League. Reports before the match suggested the visitors had recruited well during the summer and would be capable of retaining their place in a competitive division.
Returning players and new recruits feature
Most of Kendal’s previous season’s squad returned for the match. They were joined by players from the Second XV, which had won its league, as well as several new recruits.
One of the returning players was Zane Butler, who had first appeared for Kendal at the old Mint Bridge during the 2008/09 season. The club also praised Johnny Swallow’s energy, noting that he was active during the pre-match warm-up, throughout the game and while preparing to come on from the touchline.
Aaron Stephens wore the number 10 shirt and gave Kendal further options in attack from the back division. His contribution also included several long clearance kicks that helped turn defensive situations into attacking opportunities.
The Coxon brothers were both on the injury list, so two young new recruits started in the second row. Kendal said they performed well and made a number of substantial tackles in defence.
There was also significant rotation across the team. Four different players took a turn at scrum-half, while other positions had varying levels of cover. Despite the changes, the club said the standards in attack and defence did not appear to drop. It viewed that consistency as a sign that the squad could have more options when players are injured, unavailable or not at their best.
Five Kendal scores in 31-10 victory
Kendal’s points included tries attributed to Liam Barr, Zane Butler, Aaron Stephens and Ben Dixon, as well as a forward drive over the line. The club’s report qualified the individual try list, so the attribution is not treated as fully confirmed. Stephens converted two of the scores and Mckenzie Cousins added another conversion.
North Ribblesdale scored two tries. Both followed kicks through, with the visitors’ second try coming in the final action of the game.
The result gave Kendal an early test against a promoted side from the Settle area, while also allowing the club to assess players returning from last season, members of the successful Second XV and new additions to the squad.
Kendal due to visit Keswick in Cumbria Cup
Kendal’s next listed fixture was an away Cumbria Cup match at Keswick. The clubs had met in last season’s final, which Kendal won, and the forthcoming game was described as an early test as the team seeks to defend its county title.
The match was listed for 5 September, although the club also described the next game as subject to confirmation. The Senior Colts were due to play Rochdale at Mint Bridge at 2pm on Sunday 30 August. The Wasps were also listed for a game on Sunday 30 August, and the club’s wider schedule included home fixtures for that team on several weekends.
The published fixture information included a home Wasps match against Harrogate later in the season. Kendal also noted that the Vikings appeared likely to play at home on weekends when the First XV were away, although some fixtures could be moved.
Community Rugby season delayed
The Rugby Football Union postponed the start of the competitive Community Rugby season until 21 September. Kendal said the decision followed hard grounds and drought conditions across much of England.
The postponement was also intended to prevent an unfair advantage for teams able to train on 3G pitches while other clubs were unable to use their normal grass pitches. As a result, Kendal’s planned away match at Rochdale and home game against Leek were rearranged.
The revised league programme was due to begin with an away match at Stockport on 26 September. Kendal’s first home league fixture was listed for 3 October against Macclesfield. Leek were due at Mint Bridge on 10 October, while the rearranged Rochdale away fixture was listed for 19 December. The schedule also showed Rochdale visiting Kendal on 10 April.
The club’s fixture list included a four-week break over Christmas and a three-week gap later in the season. A Dronfield fixture appeared to have been switched away from its original date, giving Kendal four consecutive away matches before an additional home game against Dronfield on 20 February. The club said the change might have been connected with arrangements for the Kendal Fireworks event, but presented that as speculation.
League structure brings Macclesfield to Kendal
Macclesfield replaced Burton on Kendal’s fixture list. Macclesfield had finished third in National League 2 North but were reallocated to National League 2 West, where they had played two seasons earlier after promotion.
The move would have involved long journeys to the West Country. Attempts were made to create an expanded 16-team northern league, including Macclesfield and Lymm, but agreement was not reached. Macclesfield consequently took the decision to return to regional rugby. Kendal’s report said the change made Macclesfield a likely title contender or a candidate for a top-three play-off position, while also noting that the club was almost 50 miles closer to Kendal than Burton.
The wider league composition was still unsettled in the club’s account. Dronfield, winners of Midland North 2, were expected to join the North East League, while Sandal were expected to move west. The report also discussed promoted teams including Vale of Lune, Scarborough and North Ribblesdale, and relegated or transferring clubs including Rossendale, Scunthorpe and Hull. Kendal said the final arrangement remained subject to the Rugby Football Union’s decision.
Coaching unchanged as Ryder departs
Kendal confirmed that its coaching team for 2026/27 would remain unchanged after guiding the side to seventh place the previous season. Dan Bowman was named head coach, supported by Chris Park, Ian Voortman and Reece Tomlinson.
The club also reported the departure of Alex Ryder to newly promoted Vale of Lune. Ryder did not play for Kendal’s First XV during the previous season but had been a key member of the title-winning Second XV. He made his Kendal debut against Glossop in December 2021, went on to make 69 appearances and scored three tries.
Former Kendal player Tadhg Butler was also joining Vale of Lune. The club’s report recorded 26 appearances and one try for Butler, whose Kendal debut came in a cup match at Upper Eden in 2022. The changes leave Kendal with a developing squad, additional cover in several positions and a revised programme leading into the league opener at Stockport.