DAVID DOYLE'S last competitive match in a Cirencester shirt proved a winning one as his side lifted the the Bill Adams Trophy at the picturesque Stinchcombe home of Dursley RFC.

Bill Adams Trophy Final

Dursley III 20

Cirencester III 22

The hosts made the better start and Jack Taylor glided through poor defence for the opening score.

This setback concentrated Cirencester minds and led by 50-year-old captain Doyle the pick-and-drive policy forced Dursley into conceding penalties.

Following a number of driven line-outs veteran inside centre Steve Thompstone crashed over, with Doyle Jnr (Archie) adding the extras.

Dursley's Ollie Halford then slotted a penalty quickly followed by a try to take a 13-7 lead. Cirencester needed to get back on the front foot and with Paul Weavin and John Newman adding their bulk and experience to the enthusiasm of young George Owen it wasn't long before the pressure told and leggy full back Luke Newman slid over in the corner following some neat passing in the backs.

Dursley came out of the blocks quicker in the second half and scored a converted try through Gillespie to widen their lead and some urgent action was now needed for the Doyle dream to be realised.

Some strong runs by Mike Kosylowicz, Andy Ramsey and Park got Cirencester upfield and eventually the overwhelming pressure sucked in the opposition and allowed a massive overlap on the left. where Charles Peck dotted down. Doyle Jnr again added the extras and the score went to 19-20 with about 20 minutes remaining.

The Cirencester squad contained six players older than 50 so there were lots of rolling subs as they tired and only desperate tackling from Mick Waddell, Simon Collyer-Bristow and Doyle kept the whitewash uncrossed.

The leviathans in the pack – Tim Skelton, Nick Handy, Ty Stubley and Rich Williams – were all doing their bit in the set-pieces and the pressure forced a desperate Dursley to concede a penalty which was moved 20 metres closer for dissent.

That gain in ground allied to the following wind took Archie Doyle within range and he stroked over the kick for a 22-20 win with two minutes left to play.