ALL Golds Conference League South side make the first of this season’s four journeys across the border this weekend when they travel to the Valleys to face the Cougars (kick-off 2.30pm) at Treharris RFC.

The Cougars currently lead the table by a point from the London Chargers (who are the All Golds’ next opponents) and won 38-26 in Gloucestershire earlier in the season.

They have lost just twice, to Nottingham Outlaws on the opening day of the campaign and in their last game where they went down 18-10 to the Chargers in London.

The All Golds’ form has been erratic, with three wins from their seven matches and having lost their last three games after thumping Torfaen Tigers, they face a difficult task to turn it round against a side unbeaten at home.

In mitigation, the All Golds have had to make changes every week owing to the student representative season and a glut of injuries and were downed by the West Wales Raiders 26-24 at the Prince of Wales Stadium on their last outing.

Coach Alex Davidson will hope to have some of those injured and unavailable men back for this encounter which promises to be one of the toughest they will face this season, as even though the season is just past the halfway mark, the Cougars look a good bet for a Grand Final berth.

The All Golds are at the mid-point of their season with seven games to go. By some quirk of fixture planning, all of their remaining four away games are in the Principality with a further visit to the Cougars and trips to Torfaen and West Wales still to come.

Despite the loss to the Raiders, the All Golds are well in the mix for a top four place which would earn them a semi-final spot and a tilt at the CLS championship.

A win this weekend would certainly put them in a strong position and in good heart for the rest of the campaign.