MATCHDAY PROGRAMME 2026-27

WARRINGTON RUFC- NORTHWICH RUFC – 2026/27 - Welcome to the latest edition of our Matchday Programme as Northwich RUFC hosts our Regional 2 North West opposition in what promises to be an exhilarating clash. There's a palpable excitement in the air as we showcase our prowess on home turf. Under the captaincy of Rory Leijdekkers, the team is eager to make you proud. In this programme, you'll hear from Head Coach Cameron Nield who shares his thoughts on the challenge of facing our visitors, reflecting on his journey with the team and his hopes for the season. Get ready for a thrilling encounter. Let's unite, cheer, and make this match one to remember. Enjoy the game! NORTHWICH RUFC Moss Farm, Firdale Road, Northwich, Cheshire, CW8 4BH President: Chairman: Andy Naylor Treasurer: Chris Hart Hon Sec: Holly Bowe-Naylor M&J Chairman: Dave Huggins M&J Vice Chair: Anna Fortune Director of Rugby: John Brotherton Head Coach: Cameron Nield Club Captain: Richard Dale 1 st Team Capt: Rory Leijdekkers Safeguarding Officer: Jenny Huggins Bar Manager: Dave Johnson CHAIRMANS VIEW - NORTHWICH RUFC – 2026/27 - Our refreshed leadership structure is headed by Director of Rugby John Brotherton (Beefy), a lifelong player and coach who is entering his third year in the role. The club has continued to strengthen both its coaching and management teams, creating a united group committed to fair play, competitive success, and enjoyment of the game.The appointments of Cameron (Cammers) Neild as Head Coach and Joseph Burns as playing coach demonstrate the club’s ambition to progress to the highest possible level. The appointments of Cameron (Cammers) Neild as Head Coach and Joseph Burns as playing coach demonstrate the club’s ambition to progress to the highest possible level. Our Mini and Junior sections continue to grow, with the Superstar concept at the heart of their success. More than two hundred youngsters now take part, and we hope to attract many more. To sustain that growth and build on the excellent work already completed, we need additional volunteer coaches and assistants. My ambition for the season is to double the size of our Junior Section. We are aiming to work closely within our community to provide opportunities of playing this great game. Walking Rugby on Monday evenings continues to attract growing interest from the community. We would be delighted to welcome more local people to experience the enjoyment of the game. I am also excited that the club remains committed to relaunching the ladies’ rugby team, further extending opportunities to take part. Financial stability remains essential to the club’s future. Our income rests on three pillars: membership fees, bar and events revenue, and sponsorship. We have strong colleagues supporting the first two areas, but securing sponsorship requires help from everyone across the club. Members can also contribute by paying their fees promptly and supporting our fundraising activities. If you know a potential sponsor, please contact me or a Committee Member so that we can explain the many opportunities available. Andy. Welcome to the 2026/27 season at Moss Farm, the home of Northwich Rugby Club. May I wish all our members and the members of today’s opponents a very warm welcome. As we begin the new season, our priorities are clear: consolidate the 1st XV’s position in Regional 2 North West, strengthen all three senior teams, expand opportunities for young and community players, and secure the club’s long-term financial stability. It is a significant achievement for our 1st XV to continue playing Level 6 rugby in the highly competitive Regional 2 North West (Northern Division). This season brings many local derbies, but the league will also present a demanding challenge as we work towards promotion back to Level 5. 1 st team captain: Rory Leijdekkers - NORTHWICH RUFC – 2026/27 - I am deeply honoured and grateful to be part of Northwich Rugby Union Football Club. Since my wife, Anche, and I arrived from South Africa in January 2022, the club has welcomed us warmly and made us feel truly at home. I will never forget my roots, but my blood has changed from South African green to the Black & Gold of this great club, which my entire extended family and I have wholeheartedly embraced. When I arrived, Northwich were struggling at the foot of Regional 1, Level 5 rugby, and it was a baptism of fire. We are now in Regional 2 North West, a lower but even tougher division where every match is a must-win. However, the commitment of the coaching staff, players, committee members and supporters will drive the club to retain its place in the league. Being invited to serve again as 1st XV Captain is a great honour, and I intend to lead the team towards a successful season both on and off the pitch. Many players recruited last season have returned to their clubs around the world. We warmly welcome the new faces who have replaced them and hope they will help us achieve our goal of retaining our league status. I am delighted to work again with our Director of Rugby, Beefy, and alongside our new Head Coach, Cameron Neild, and the senior coaching team. Northwich’s refreshed coaching team is formidable. Every player—not only those in the 1st XV, but also the 2nd and 3rd XVs—must embrace the coaching staff’s ideas and philosophy. The Northwich ethos of ONE TEAM, ONE CLUB, ONE NORTHWICH is vital to our success because it binds us together. We want to play rugby in a way that is enjoyable for us, our supporters and our sponsors, while respecting ourselves and one another. I am confident that, if we work together and fully commit to supporting one another, the club will enjoy another successful season. Northwich is, without doubt, the Team of the Town. Match report – Sandbach 40-19 After what had seemed to be an eternity competitive rugby came to life at Sandbach. The Black & Gold knew they were in for a tough encounter with long term rivals Sandbach. This was the first league match for new coach Cameron Neild, and everyone was itching to go. The weather was perfect for rugby and in front of a large crowd both sides took to the field full of optimism. The first 10 minutes left the spectators shellshocked when with just 3 minutes gone the visitors opened the scoring following a well organised maul from a lineout. Harry Naylor added the extras and the faithful were all smiles. This didn’t last long as Sandbach responded with a lineout of their own. The ball was moved to the midfield where a gap in the defence appeared, and a converted try squared the match. The next 15 minutes belonged to the black & gold who tried everything to break the resilient home defence. However, it was Sandbach who scored next Northwich conceded a penalty and a lineout close to the visitor’s line was the result. The ensuing maul was resisted by Northwich, and they seemed to have nullified the threat when the maul was brought to a standstill. Despite the maul being stopped the referee decided it could be restarted and the home side crossed the line for a second converted try. At this point Sandbach were growing in confidence and with 10 minutes of the half remaining the home scrum half broke from the base of the scrum and moved the ball quickly catching the Northwich defence asleep leading to a third converted try and giving the black & gold a mountain to climb. There was no further score in the half, but Northwich were under no illusion as to the task facing them. Half time Sandbach 21 Northwich 7 The second half started just like the first with an exchange of scores in the first 10 minutes. The first score came from the home side when a penalty close to the visitor’s line was taken quickly and resulted in a bonus point try which was again converted. The response was swift and following a good passage of play Joe Burns sent a cross-field kick for Ngarotata Enoka to collect and score. The extras went begging but there was a glimmer of hope for the black & gold. Although Northwich had lots of possession, they made too many errors and were punished over the next 10 minutes. Sandbach secured victory during this period with two tries one of which was converted. On the 70th minute Northwich scored a third try when Man of the Match Njabulo Shabangu scored a well deserved try which was converted by Tom Husbands. The final minutes of the match were frantic and, in an effort, to find the bonus point try the black & gold became ragged and the match ended with a well-deserved win for Sandbach and some frustration for Northwich and the faithful.1 st Team Squad Rory Leijdekkers Haraipha Mthembu Jandre Van Zyk Sean Tigere Kgopotso Matlena Jack Owens Harry Bennett Njabulo Shabangu Charlie Worsfield Joe Burns Ngarotata Enoka Richard Dale Jonathon Knipe Tom Husband Hughwan Engelbrecht Harry Naylor Zac Rance Paddy Douglas Joe Stewart - NORTHWICH RUFC – 2026/27 - Cammers Corner Reflections on last week This weeks thoughts BLURB BLURB - NORTHWICH RUFC – 2026/27 -