Two clubs with a proud history go head-to-head in a grandstand finish to the league season on Saturday.

The Counties 3 Gloucestershire North title is up for grabs when third-placed Old Patesians host leaders Stroud at Everest Road in a game that has all the makings of being a cracker.

For Stroud the arithmetic is quite simple. It’s their final league game of the season and if they avoid defeat the title is theirs.

For Old Patesians, who travel to eighth-placed Fairford a week on Saturday for their final game, it’s not quite so straightforward, but it’s still very much in their hands. They trail Stroud by seven points so a win will keep them very much in the title hunt.

No wonder Stroud captain Sam Leworthy described the game as “a showdown” when he spoke to The Local Answer.

Both clubs have experienced tough times in the recent past, of course, but for both Leworthy and Old Pats skipper Kris Taft, this game is a big deal.

“We’ll play the game like we always do, we’ll come out firing,” said Taft. “After all the hard work we’ve put in this season we definitely want to win the league.”

Stroud definitely want to win the league too and go into the game on the back of a 105-7 win at bottom-of-the-table Norton at the weekend.

The margin of that win was significant because it took them above Gloucester Old Boys, who have finished their campaign, on points difference.

Both teams have currently won 17 games, but Stroud’s points difference is 511 compared with Gloucester Old Boys’ 467.

“We did the business at Norton and we’re going into the game on Saturday full of confidence,” said Leworthy. “It’s a big game, I’m not going to lie. I’m looking forward to it, I like the big occasions, this is a game I’ll remember.”

Taft, meanwhile, is hoping that home advantage can prove significant.

“Hopefully, we’ll get plenty of support,” he said. “It should be a really good game. It’s a big game and yes, it is a showdown.”

Gloucester Old Boys, meanwhile, will be keeping a close eye on proceedings too. The top two in the division will be promoted so they’ll be hoping Stroud can complete the double over the Pats after they beat them 25-19 at Fromehall Park in September.