Cheltenham North head into the Christmas and new year break in buoyant mood after recording their ninth win of the Gloucestershire Premier campaign on Saturday.

Their 20-5 success at St Mary’s Old Boys leaves them tucked in just behind leaders Chosen Hill Former Pupils, who it has to be said are setting a scorching pace after winning their opening 11 games of the campaign.

But North, who have also drawn one and lost one – the defeat was at Chosen Hill in mid-October – are only eight points off the leaders and there is real optimism around Stoke Road this season.

“It’s excellent,” said club stalwart Malcolm Kedward. “We’ve got a number of new players come through into the first team and it’s all going well.”

There were two divisions between Chosen Hill and Cheltenham North last season – Chosen Hill were relegated from Western Counties North and Cheltenham North won promotion from Gloucestershire One – and it’s fair to say that Chosen Hill, who won 50-5 at Old Richians at the weekend, are favourites to take the Gloucestershire Premier title at this stage.

They defeated Cheltenham North 50-0 a couple of months ago and all but one of their wins have produced a bonus point.

The return fixture with the North on Saturday 1st February looks set to be a key date but while only the champions are certain of promotion, the runners-up can also go up because they will play-off against the runners-up of Somerset Premier at the end of the season.

“Promotion is the aim,” added Kedward. “If you’re up there you’ve got to go for it. It’s all looking good at the moment. We run a regular 2nd XV and the whole club is looking strong.”

Cheltenham North’s first league game after the festive break is at home to Berry Hill on 4th January while Chosen Hill host St Mary’s Old Boys. Third-placed Longlevens, who are seven points adrift of Cheltenham North, entertain Widden Old Boys.