TROWBRIDGE LEAGUE: HILPERTON United's 18-year wait to appear in a Trowbridge League cup final is over, thanks to striker Sami Bakali those hat-trick clinched a Division Two cup final clash with North Bradley Saints.

Bakali recovered from a collision with Broughton Gifford Reserve keeper Dave Butler when heading Hilperton ahead on 20 minutes, to punish Butler for a 49th minute howler before completing a treble from Ross Pike's superb through pass 19 minutes later.

Gifford, trailing 5-3 from the previous week's first leg, created first half chances and after Hilperton had threatened to put the second leg beyond doubt, came back strongly twice reducing a two-goal deficit through Duncan Knight and substitute Dave Jenkins before losing 3-2.

Saints meanwhile tuned up for tomorrow's outstanding A and B Cup semi-final date with Broughton Gifford by reaching their second final of the season in great style with a 3-0 win.

In the league Gifford who will meet Saints again in the final of the Knockout Cup by beating Bradford United in the other semi, took a mighty leap towards reclaiming the Division One crown. A 3-0 win in the last quarter of an hour over Castle Combe with goals from Simon Price, Tom Staddon and Adam Gingell extended Gifford's unbeaten run to 20 matches.

Stuart Iron's side are now six points clear of rivals Rudloe who now have to win their three games in hand to draw level after suffering a second vital reverse in eight days 3-2 at second in the table Heytesbury.

At the bottom Blue Circle came close to collecting their first point of the season but relegation was confirmed for Steve Martin's outfit in a 2-1 home defeat by Freshford United who produced two tremendous efforts through Tom Hopkins and Robin Walker to erase Liam Williams' interval lead for the cement men.

Any one of six teams separated by just five points could join Circle in Division Two. Even fourth in the table Seend United are not safe after a second stalemate in a fortnight with Dynamo West End.

Rowde Sports signed off their home programme at Sands Lane with another close encounter with neighbours Bromham who had a player sent off after Jamie Mullings settled the issue midway through the second half.