Table-topping Gordon League head to unbeaten Coney Hill for what is sure to be a rip-roaring Counties 2 Gloucestershire North clash on Saturday.

Gordon League, who made it seven wins from eight at the weekend with a 40-20 victory at home to Cirencester, hold an eight-point advantage over Coney Hill, who have played two games fewer.

“It’s the toughest game of our season so far,” said Gordon League players’ representative and former captain Kiernan Raybould. “We’ve not played each other for a while but there’s a good rivalry between the clubs, it should be a proper Coney Hill versus Gordon League game!”

And while Coney Hill have won six out of six this season, Gordon League have suffered just the one reverse, losing 18-13 at Smiths, who just pipped them to the Gloucestershire Two North title last time out.

Nevertheless, Gordon League won 19 and drew one of their 22 league games in 2021/22 and 29-year-old Raybould said that this season’s form is a continuation of the previous campaign.

“Everybody has bought into what head coach Jake McMahon and backs coach Luke McMahon are trying to do,” said Raybould. “There’s a real positive dynamic around the club, we’re on the way up, it’s where we should be.”

The club have scored 271 points this season and their success has been built on a good all-round game.

“Our backs are very good and skilful,” he said. “The forwards are very good at what they do too, they give them good ball to work with.”

And if they maintain that form there’s every chance that the club, who were founded way back in 1888, could be celebrating another promotion come the end of the season.

“To win back-to-back promotions would be amazing,” said Raybould. “We’re looking to be there or thereabouts.

“The club are in a good a place at the moment. We’re a family club, everything is getting better on and off the pitch.

“We’re running two teams and we’ve also had a couple of 3^rd team fixtures. We’re getting a veterans’ team out on 19^th November and the youth section is very healthy.”

Raybould, who is also the club’s welfare officer and safeguarding officer, is looking forward to getting back onto the pitch himself after a long period on the sidelines.

The openside flanker has been with the club since the age of 15 and he was a regular in the club’s flagship team for a decade before an eye operation forced him to stop playing a couple of seasons ago.

“Hopefully, I’ll be back before Christmas,” he said. “I’m happy to play anywhere.”

And it’s exactly that kind of attitude that has helped to propel Gordon League forward in recent times.