Kendal Rugby Union Football Club’s return to the West league ended in defeat at Stockport, but the new-look side produced an attacking performance that gave the club encouragement for the campaign ahead.
Stockport won the Regional 1 North West match 57-40 on Saturday, 26 September 2026, after leading 38-19 at half-time. Kendal scored six tries and, after falling 26 points behind shortly after the interval, reduced the gap to 10 points with 10 minutes remaining.
The match report described Stockport as a side that had finished third in the West the previous season and had recruited well during the summer. Stockport began at a high tempo and scored inside two minutes, punishing a misplaced Kendal pass during an attack from the visitors’ own 22.
Stockport take early control
Stockport won the resulting lineout and moved the ball quickly from right to left, creating the opening for a converted try and a 7-0 lead. The hosts added a second try after nine minutes, extending their advantage to 12-0.
Kendal responded with a well-worked attack after turning the ball over near halfway. Aaron Stephens quickly kicked down the right wing for Zane Butler to chase, forcing Stockport to put the ball into touch and concede an attacking lineout.
The lineout was won and Kendal moved the ball across the field. Full-back Ben O’Halloran appeared to have an opportunity in the left corner, but Stockport’s defence covered the danger. O’Halloran was still able to pass inside to Liam Barr, who beat several attempted tackles to score. Stephens converted from near the touchline, bringing Kendal back to 12-7.
Stockport restored their 12-point advantage 10 minutes later with a short-range try after a sustained series of attacks. Kendal again replied quickly. Pressure on the touchline led to a Stockport handling error, and although there was uncertainty over whether the ball had gone into touch, Kendal won the lineout.
Patrick Wolstenholme took the throw and the ball was moved wide. Butler appeared in the centre, broke open the Stockport defence and, when eventually stopped, passed to Ben Dixon. Dixon went through for the try, making the score 19-12.
The hosts then scored again after good handling from their back row, with Calum Owen adding the conversion. Kendal responded with one of the most eye-catching moves of the afternoon.
Memorable Kendal try cannot stop Stockport
A long Stockport kick into Kendal’s dead-ball area forced Ollie Rose to take a goal-line drop-out. Rose restarted play almost immediately with a kick across the field, Barney Coxon made ground and then found Angus Knight deep inside Kendal’s own 22.
Knight ran out of the defensive area, outpaced the Stockport defence for a considerable distance and eventually passed to Butler. Butler finished the move with a try, while Stephens added a straightforward conversion. Kendal had reduced the deficit to 26-19.
Stockport answered with a try from a quickly taken penalty. The hosts then extended their lead again in the final action of the first half, when a kick through to the line was not dealt with by the Kendal defence. The converted score left Stockport 38-19 ahead at the interval.
The first half reflected Stockport’s control of possession and tempo, but Kendal had also shown that they could take opportunities when they created them. The visitors’ scores had largely come from attacks or turnovers in their own half.
Visitors launch second-half comeback
Stockport made another strong start after the restart. A loose Kendal box kick was gathered and returned, leading to a converted try and a 45-19 scoreline. Kendal, however, needed one more try to secure a bonus point and continued to look for a route back into the contest.
After 10 minutes of the second half, Kendal forced Stockport to concede a penalty. Stephens kicked to touch, the lineout was won and the ball was moved quickly. Butler was unmarked on the right wing and, after gathering a long pass that bounced before reaching him, crossed for his second try of the afternoon. Stephens converted from a wide position, reducing the deficit to 45-26.
Butler was then replaced by Dan Shorrock. Kendal continued to attack and scored again after another quick move from a lineout. Ben Dixon produced the decisive moment, with Stephens converting to make it 45-33.
Stockport settled briefly with a try following a scrum, taking the score to 50-33. Kendal refused to surrender. Stephens kicked towards the line and Shorrock’s chase prevented the Stockport player who gathered the ball from making ground. Kendal’s reinforcements arrived quickly and forced a penalty.
The visitors took the penalty quickly, although the first pass appeared to go wrong when it failed to reach its intended target. Matt Houghton gathered the loose ball, went over unopposed under the posts and gave Stephens an easy conversion. Kendal were now within two scores at 50-40, with 10 minutes to play.
A shock comeback, or at least a losing bonus point, was possible, but Stockport regrouped. Kendal initially defended well and forced the hosts into touch on the right. The visitors then lost concentration at the lineout when the throw failed to find its target. Stockport recovered possession at the back and scored a converted try to make it 57-40.
There was no further scoring. Stockport’s final try ended Kendal’s hopes of completing the comeback, although the visitors’ six-try display had already shown considerable attacking promise.
New faces and changes for Kendal
The match was the first outing for a number of players in a new-look Kendal side. Aaron Sullivan and Angus Knight made their debuts in the front row, while Toby Merrick made his debut in the second row. Butler returned to the club on the right wing.
Kendal also used an expanded five-player bench. Owen Slater and Finn Kennedy made their debuts, while Dev Coyle returned to first-team action. During the match, Coyle moved to scrum-half, Barr switched to centre, O’Halloran moved to the wing and Rose took over at full-back after Alfie Bradshaw was forced off with an injury.
Bradshaw later returned in place of Barr. Butler was replaced by Shorrock, while Isa Muschamp came on for Barney Coxon and Merrick returned for Dane Blenkharn, with both players carrying knocks. Slater later came on for Sullivan.
Butler was named man of the match after scoring twice and making a significant contribution to Kendal’s attacking play. The report’s main positive was the team’s move away from a predictable forward-based approach towards quicker use of the backs. That style, it said, appeared better suited to the squad’s current resources and showed that Kendal could open up a strong defence.
Kendal’s next fixture is expected to be at home to Macclesfield, who are listed as the visitors in the club’s report. No date or kick-off time is supplied in the available match material.