It should be easier for fans of Old Cryptians to keep pace with the exploits of their free-scoring flagship team when they host Bredon Star in Gloucestershire One on Saturday.

That’s because the club’s new electronic scoreboard, which was put up on Tuesday, will be in operation for the first time.

And the new scoreboard operator is likely to be kept plenty busy if Old Cryptians’ first seven league games are anything to go by because they’ve already racked up 253 points, more than any other team in the 12-strong division.

They currently lie two points behind leaders Cirencester in fourth spot and it really is very close at the top because just three points separate the leading five teams.

Bredon Star are top of the bottom half having won three of their opening seven games. They trail Old Cryptians by 15 points and the home side will certainly be hopeful of making it six wins out of eight in three days’ time.

The new electronic scoreboard is just another addition to the already impressive facilities at the Memorial Ground in Tuffley Avenue because the club already boast a full set of playing floodlights.

On the pitch things are looking pretty good too with new player/coach Jake McMahon making a good impression this season, both on and off the pitch.

And long-time club stalwart and ex-chairman Greg Barton is certainly delighted with the way things are going.

“The club and all teams, including the junior section, but in particular the 1st XV are going great,” he said. “We lost one silly game to Old Colstonians when we were 21 points up. We never should have lost that!

“But this last weekend we’ve just beaten Brockworth 19-0 in the Gloucestershire County final of the Junior Vase.

“It’s very, very close in the league. Cirencester are probably the strongest because they’ve just come down this season from many seasons in Gloucestershire Premier or higher, but anyone can win it.”

By Christmas Old Cryptians should have a much clearer idea of how the league campaign is going to shape up because after Bredon Star they travel to Brockworth on 1st December, host fifth-placed Cheltenham North seven days later before travelling to Cirencester on the 15th for their final league game of 2018.

The league’s Christmas break will see Old Cryptians, as always, taking on their old rivals Old Richians in three or four hard-fought games on Boxing Day. All games start at midday with the 1sts and 3rds at Old Cryptians and the 2nds and 4ths at Old Richians.

“It’s a great day to watch or play in some really hard fought local rugby rivalry and to catch up with friends old and new,” added Barton.