With the racing festival just around the corner, it’s probably appropriate that one of the rugby clubs closest to Cheltenham Racecourse – Cheltenham North – are coming up on the rails as their season reaches a climax.

The North have climbed up to third spot in Gloucester One and are well placed to mount an assault on one of the two promotion places available over the final seven games of the season.

It won’t be easy, of course, even though they have won seven and drawn one of their last 10 games. One of those defeats was a narrow 30-27 reverse at home to leaders Berry Hill at the end of last month, but despite that loss the North’s run of form over the past few months has taken them to within eight points of second-placed Old Elizabethans.

And what makes the gap between the two clubs potentially smaller than it appears is the fact that the North must travel to play Old Elizabethans on Saturday 21st April, the final day of the season.

“We’re quietly confident that we can do it,” said North stalwart Malcolm Kedward, who these days enjoys the rather grand title of Club Ambassador. “We’ve won a few games and people are enjoying their rugby. We’ve got players coming back to the club and we’re attracting new ones.

“It’s better now than it has been for a long time. The club have been a bit in the doldrums but we’re all looking forward to Saturdays now. We’re thinking, ‘We can win this!’.

“Isiah Young has joined the coaching staff and has had a big influence alongside head coach James Wilkinson.”

And they certainly appear to be getting the best out of the players.

“The Hartland twins – James and Will – are playing really well,” added Kedward, “and centre Sam Allen is a class player. He’s come back after being out for a year and a half with a shoulder injury.

“And then there’s Ben Crocker. He’s our openside and regularly gets man of the match.”

Kedward knows what he’s talking about, of course. Born just up the road from Stoke Road in Prestbury, he has been part of the club for more than 50 years.

It’s a journey that started as a tighthead prop and since hanging up his boots has seen him take on a multitude of roles including Chairman and Team Manager.

“I started with the North and I never went anywhere else,” he laughed.

And he’s got a smile on his face just gone 4.30pm most Saturday afternoons these days too.

“We’ve got a young side and I love watching them play,” he said. “It’s very important that we get back into Gloucester Premier because we want to attract the best players.

“Our junior section is really thriving. The under-17s are coming through and they want to play a good standard of rugby.

“I reckon four or five of our under-17s could be ready next season.”

It certainly seems as though the good times are returning to Cheltenham North, who will be hoping to make it eight wins from 11 when they host Brockworth on Saturday.