Frocester Cricket Club go toe-to-toe with season-long rivals Goatacre on Saturday in a top-of-the-table game that is likely to determine which of the two teams will be playing in the top flight of the West of England Premier League in 2023.

And it promises to be a really tight affair at Frocester because after 15 matches there is absolutely nothing to choose between them with both locked on 253 points.

After this weekend’s clash they will have just two games to play and Frocester chairman John Evans said: “These are exciting times, it’s all to play for.

“It’s a massive game for both clubs and the winner will probably go on and win the title, although that’s not certain because there have been some strange results this season with top teams losing to sides at the bottom.”

Frocester, captained this season by recently-turned 19-year-old all-rounder Will Naish, secured win number 10 for the campaign with a 115-run success at Stroud last Saturday, a victory that delighted Evans.

“It was a local derby and they’ve got a few ex-Frocester players so there was a little bit of feeling,” he said. “But once we got Louis Gegg out we were always going to win.”

Opening batman and wicketkeeper Chris Calcott top-scored with 79 in Frocester’s all out total of 260 and then Nathan Rose Innes took 5-14, including the wicket of Gegg for 46, as the home side were bundled out for 145 in 40 overs.

Skipper Naish chipped in with two wickets and Evans said: “He’s done a fantastic job since taking over as captain at the start of the season, he’s been brilliant.

“The team spirit is really good. We’re in a period of regrouping and if anyone had told me at the start of the season  we’d be challenging for the league I’d have snapped their hand off.”

Only one team will win promotion but while the club obviously want to be in Premier One next season, it’s not the be-all and end-all for Evans.

“If we don’t win promotion it’s still been a great season,” he said. “There’s no pressure on the players, I just want them to go and enjoy themselves on Saturday.”

And it’s not just the 1^st XI who are enjoying themselves at Frocester because Evans said there is “a great buzz around the whole club”.

The 2^nd XI have got themselves up into mid-table in the Gloucestershire Division of the WEPL and came close to beating long-time leaders Painswick on Saturday, while the 3rds are chasing promotion in Division Four of the County League.

The 1st XI, meanwhile, wrap up their league campaign with a trip to seventh-placed Hatherley and Reddings and then a home game with eighth-placed Burbage & Easton Royal, while Goatacre host ninth-placed Stroud before making the trip to Warminster who prop up the 10-strong division.