WIMBORNE Wayfarers are through to the semi-finals of the England Hockey Vase competition.

They secured their place with a hard-fought 4-2 victory over Cheshire side Bramhall on Sunday.

Wayfarers had tp overcome some early pressure before a quickly taken free hit deep in their own half found its way to Paul Randall who finished his run with a sweetly struck reverse stick shot past Bramhall's keeper.

With both sides going close, Wimborne were worth their lead at half time, and looked to be in complete control when Gary Shaw followed up a short corner seven minutes after the break.

However, Bramhall were allowed to get back into the game by conceding a penalty stroke, a temporary suspension and a penalty corner all in quick succession.

The game was decided with five minutes left when Randall's long corner cross went all the way to skipper Tim Jones who slotted in at the far post.

Simon Ridley was then upended by the Bramhall keeper and Randall duly despatched the resulting penalty stroke to put the Dorset side into the semi-finals for the second time in five years.

Wayfarers now face UCL Academicals at Thames Ditton on March 30.

In the league the previous day, Wimborne gained valuable points with a 2-1 success over Blandford.

The club's ladies team achieved a fine 3-1 victory over league leaders Shepton Mallet.