by Rhys Fullerton
‘Bach to kick off league campaign against newcomers Kirkby Lonsdale
The starting gun for a new season of rugby was fired on Thursday 2 July with Sandbach RUFC’s first players meeting of the summer. The fixtures for the new season have now been confirmed and preparations can really begin.
There are some familiar names in the Regional 2 North West 2026/27 league, including Douglas from the Isle of Man, which is a popular away fixture for supporters. New teams joining the league include Kirkby Lonsdale, Manchester, Warrington and Wilmslow. The latter three will add to the enticing local derbies, which include Northwich and Winnington Park.
Manchester were relegated from Regional 1 North West last season, while Kirkby Lonsdale, Wilmslow and Warrington were all promoted from their respective Counties 1 leagues. Other teams in the league include familiar foes Birkenhead Park, Burnage, Firwood Waterloo and Widnes.
Last season, Sandbach 1st XV achieved a proud third-place league finish for the second consecutive season and a place in the play-offs, where they bowed out in the second round.
Sandbach will open the season at home to newcomers Kirkby Lonsdale on Saturday 12 September, before heading to Manchester the following weekend. September ends and October begins with back-to-back home derbies, as Northwich, followed by Winnington Park, visit Bradwall Road.
There is a longer break over the Christmas period, which will begin after Sandbach host Manchester on 12 December. Rugby then resumes on the 9 January with a trip to Northwich for the return fixture. The final league game of the season on 10 April is one to mark on the calendar, with Sandbach travelling to Cumbria to face Kirkby Lonsdale, which could end up being a title decider.
As preparations continue to ramp up, the club is delighted to announce the return of Mike Barlow from Caldy RFC. Mike, who returns in a player/coach capacity, represented Caldy both in the National League and more recently in the Champ. He will help strengthen the squad for the new season as well as lending his defensive expertise from the sidelines.
Sandbach RUFC’s director of rugby Andrew Bird said: “We are delighted to welcome someone with Mike’s experience and leadership back into the club. First and foremost, he is a great person and gets what we are about as a club, which is vitally important. The impact he is going to have on our youngsters will be exciting.”
Mike, who plays at centre, has previously played for Stockport, Macclesfield, Sandbach and Caldy. In his time at Caldy, he scored 25 times, as well as making 12 senior appearances for Cheshire.
Pre-season training for the senior players begins this Tuesday, 7 July, and a full slate of pre-season fixtures will be announced very soon.
Before that though, there will be a chance to witness the ambitious LooseHeadz world record attempt at Bradwall Road.
This event will see two marathon matches, one men’s and one women’s, kick-off at 12pm on Friday 24 July and continue through the night until after 12pm on Saturday 25 July. There will be more than 24 hours of continuous rugby sevens, all in support of mental health in rugby.
The excitement is building and a new season of rugby awaits.
Sandbach 1st XV’s Regional 2 North West 2026/27 Fixtures
Saturday 12 September
Sandbach 1st XV vs Kirkby Lonsdale 1st XV
Saturday 19 September
Manchester 1st XV vs Sandbach 1st XV
Saturday 26 September
Sandbach 1st XV vs Northwich 1st XV
Saturday 3 October
Sandbach 1st XV vs Winnington Park 1st XV
Saturday 17 October
Warrington 1st XV vs Sandbach 1st XV
Saturday 24 October
Sandbach 1st XV vs Widnes 1st XV
Saturday 31 October
Wilmslow 1st XV vs Sandbach 1st XV
Saturday 7 November
Sandbach 1st XV vs Birkenhead Park 1st XV
Saturday 21 November
Burnage 1st XV vs Sandbach 1st XV
Saturday 28 November
Sandbach 1st XV vs Douglas (IOM) 1st XV
Saturday 5 December
Firwood Waterloo 1st XV vs Sandbach 1st XV
Saturday 12 December
Sandbach 1st XV vs Manchester 1st XV
Saturday 9 January
Northwich 1st XV vs Sandbach 1st XV
Saturday 16 January
Winnington Park 1st XV vs Sandbach 1st XV
Saturday 23 January
Sandbach 1st XV vs Warrington 1st XV
Saturday 6 February
Widnes 1st XV vs Sandbach 1st XV
Saturday 13 February
Sandbach 1st XV vs Wilmslow 1st XV
Saturday 20 February
Birkenhead Park 1st XV vs Sandbach 1st XV
Saturday 6 March
Sandbach 1st XV vs Burnage 1st XV
Saturday 13 March
Douglas (IOM) 1st XV vs Sandbach 1st XV
Saturday 3 April
Sandbach 1st XV vs Firwood Waterloo 1st XV
Saturday 10 April
Kirkby Lonsdale 1st XV vs Sandbach 1st XV
