IT is not too often that this town plays host to two crucial promotion battles on one afternoon.

But that will be the scenario in Colchester come 3pm, on Saturday – and that is certainly something for sports fans in the area to celebrate, whatever the result this weekend.

Colchester United Football Club take on fellow League Two high flyers Mansfield Town at the JobServe Community Stadium, knowing a win could lift them into the automatic promotion spots.

And at the same time little more than a mile down the road, Colchester Rugby Club entertain third-placed North Walsham in a crunch game at Mill Road where a victory would go a long way to securing the hosts at least a play-off spot, in London League One North.

Both clubs are enjoying excellent seasons, where their consistency has so far helped them remain within touching distance of top spot in their respective leagues.

For the U’s, impressive numbers at both ends of the pitch have spearheaded their challenge.

Six goals in their last two games mean John McGreal’s side are among the leading goalscorers in the fourth tier, with 42 goals.

And at the other end, they have kept an eye-catching 12 clean sheets this season so far (no side has recorded more, so far) and boast one of the best defensive records in the division.

Colchester’s rugby players have been just as dependable.

The Blacks lie second in the table, with only one defeat to their name all season following their best away performance of the season at Old Priorians last weekend, despite missing key players.

They are the second-highest points scorers behind runaway leaders Rochford Hundred and have conceded just 193 points in their opening 16 matches, the second-best defensive record in the division.

With ten games to go, they are a little closer to their objective than the footballing counterparts up the road.

But both sides are in a great position, heading into the final months of the season.

The U’s professional full-time status, in comparison to the rugby club’s amateur set-up, is clearly the biggest difference between the two entities.

But essentially, their outlook is the same; they are locking swords with bigger, in some cases wealthier clubs, for the final prize of promotion.

And they are also alike in that they have both tasted life at a higher level over recent years and are striving to return to that status as quickly as possible.

Furthermore, both clubs are strong in their philosophy of nurturing their own young players and offering them a pathway into the first team.

Over the last few years, the U’s academy has produced the likes of Sammie Szmodics, Tom Lapslie and Frankie Kent, all of whom have been regulars in John McGreal’s side this season.

And with a flourishing mini and youth set-up, the rugby club have for some time boasted an enviable reputation for producing talented young home grown players.

Both clubs are hoping for seizable crowds for their respective fixtures this weekend, as they aim to boost their promotion hopes.

And rather than compete for numbers, they can instead complement one another in their shared drive for success.

How wonderful it would be to have two promotions to celebrate later this year, within a few yards of one another.

Here’s hoping that Colchester has even more reason to raise a toast to its two most prominent sporting teams, come Saturday night – no matter what shape the ball is.