The experienced Dwayne Burrows was centre stage as he scored four tries to help steer Coney Hill to victory over Winscombe and with it the Western Counties North title.

It was just reward for the Gloucester club who have led the table for pretty much all of the season.

They wrapped it all up with three games to spare although they were pushed all the way at the Metz Way by plucky opponents before pulling through 34-28.

Billy Lee also scored a try while Joe Hamlin kicked three conversions and a penalty in front of his watching dad, former Gloucester fly-half Mike Hamlin.

The result showed the character in the club after the previous week’s disappointment when they lost 20-17 in extra time to Camberley in the RFU Intermediate Cup.

A win would have taken them to Twickenham for the first time in their history.

“It shows what the club are all about,” said skipper and hooker Tom Anderson. “We had quite a young side out and included four or five Colts. They all stepped up and did themselves proud.”

They certainly did and they were needed after the cup heartbreak of the previous week.

“That was so tough,” admitted Anderson. “To play 100 minutes and lose by just a penalty was really hard.

“But winning the league, especially with three games to spare, is a great achievement.

“It’s not an easy division because so many clubs in this league pride themselves on their home record. It means that every time you go away you know it will be a tough day at the office.”

And Anderson already has an eye on next season, even though the club have a North Gloucestershire Combination Senior Cup semi-final clash at home to Chosen Hill tomorrow night (6pm).

“We want to play rugby at the highest level we can realistically, you play rugby to test yourself,” said Anderson.

And Anderson was also keen to pay tribute to joint player/coaches Craig Greer and Andy Macrae.

“They’ve put in a lot of work behind the scenes,” he said. “They’ve done a fantastic job, as have the players. Every player who has worn the shirt this season has done the club proud.”