BOX Rovers' hopes of reaching their first PPL Presto Print-sponsored Eric Hughes Memorial Cup final since 1999 were ended as holders and Premier Division rivals Cooper-Avon Rangers sent them crashing out as they eased to their fourth successive final with a 3-1 victory.

Rangers, who were at their vintage best and fired up by recent comments about them being super-stars and that opponents Box were about to take over their mantle as the league's number one club, had a point to prove and they responded in fine style.

Rangers took the lead when Dave Macey connected with Leigh Bramley's telling cross. James Lye netted to bring Rovers level before Francis Coleman restored Rangers' advantage and Leigh Bramley capped a fine personal performance when he headed in the third to set up a final showdown with First Division Gladstone Liberal Club.

Rangers will start as odds-on favourites to lift the cup for the eighth time in the last nine seasons.

Referee Pete Lowe had an excellent game in a match that was fought hard but fairly throughout by two very sporting teams who were a credit to the league.

Subsidiary Cup

FAVOURITES Packhorse coasted into the quarter-finals with a 3-0 win over Third Division North Star B.

Premier Division Packhorse never got into top gear but won with goals from Will Elliott (2) and Steve Richardson.

Second Division Sutton Benger put in an excellent effort against First Division Hullavington Village before losing out in a penalty shoot-out.

W G Parr Trophy finalists Hullavington were outplayed for long periods in the first half but took the lead midway through the second when Carl Watkins slotted home. Shortly after Benger equalised when a free kick from Chris Summerhill evaded everyone and found its way into the bottom corner of the net.

In extra-time the game could have gone either way, with Benger hitting both the post and the bar and Hullavington finding it impossible to get past Benger goalkeeper Phil Johnson, who made a number of great saves. The first nine penalties were fired home with confidence but Hullavington came away winners after their keeper Steve Skull made a splendid save to deny Paul Watson.

Carl Watkins, Craig Samuals, Jerry Norcott, Rich Fortune and Andy Martin were Hullavington's spot-kick scorers.

The Third Division's bottom club, The Plough, took a shock but well deserved first half lead against First Division Trowbridge Harriers through Wayne Duggan, but the Harriers hit back in the second period to win with goals from Paul Edwards (2, one penalty), John Hubbard, Andy Cooper and an excellent solo effort from Jamie Burbidge, who picked the ball up on the left, cut inside and beat three defenders before scoring.

First Division West Lavington had an off day against Fourth Division Blue Circle Saints and suffered a 3-0 defeat. Wayne Bristow (2) and Graham Deveney scored the goals that all came in the first half.

Premier Division Corsham FC completed the cup double over Fourth Division leaders Holt FC. Having already disposed of Holt in the knockout cup, a Malcolm King header was enough to earn Corsham a 1-0 win against their battling rivals. Corsham lost Andy Sibbick early in the second period when he was sent off.

Corsham Park Rangers and King Alfred were involved in a 10-goal thriller which saw the Alfred finally run out 6-4 winners.

The Division Four side raced to a 3-0 lead with only 16 minutes as Gary Banks netted twice and Phil Conrath hit the other, Rangers replied through Mark Wolf, who converted a 22nd minute penalty, and an own goal from Ryan Hunt made it 3-2 before Paul Smith tied the score at 3-3 in the 33rd minute. Banks completed his hat-trick as he made it 4-3 before Mark Wolf equalised once again in the 65th minute. Banks took his tally for the game to five as he hit two late goals in the 89th and 90th minutes to earn King Alfred their place in the next round.

Division Four

SOMERFORD FC took a step closer to Division Three as they defeated fellow promotion hopefuls Colerne B.

Chris Hawkins gave Colerne a 1-0 half time lead before a number of changes to the Somerford line up saw them hit back to win 3-1. Chris Yeo tied the score at 1-1 before Gavin Klukoski headed home a Richard Chandler corner to put Somerford 2-1 in front. John Goad made it 3-1 when he was on the end of an excellent team move to send a half volley crashing into the back of the net. Danny Muhl then pulled one back for Colerne with five minutes remaining to set up a tense finish which saw Somerford hang on to secure the two points and keep the pressure on table topping Holt.

Shane Rendell gave Classic FC the lead after only three minutes against Roadrunners when he lobbed home from 30 yards. Classic's joy was short lived as Steve Ivin levelled and Andy Zuk struck two goals in the first four minutes of the second half to see Roadrunners to a 3-1 win.

Division Three

HARE and Hounds put up a spirited display against leaders Chippenham Black Horse before losing 3-0.

Leighton Brown (2) and Darren Whiston, who was later sent off, were the scorers.

Semington Rovers and Biddestone Social Club shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw.

Scott Evans and Ian Ramsey hit two goals each as Christian Malford sunk AFC Unicorn 4-1. Steve Hyde replied and Danny Box also missed a penalty for the losers.

Sir Audley Arms had Chris Shipway sent off as his side suffered a 5-1 defeat at home to Rowde. Keiren Smith hit their only goal as goals from Darren Griffin (2), Lee Green and Mike O'Donnell saw Rowde to victory. Referee Neville Dennett was outstanding throughout.

Premier Division

DOG and Fox Ashley returned to the top with a 2-1 win over Melksham Motor Spares.

The battle to avoid the drop continues as both of the teams below the relegation trap door came up with victories.

Bradford News defeated Corsham Centre United 5-2. Russell Francis gave the Newsmen the lead, with Dave Kilmurray equalising. The Newsmen then moved 4-1 ahead thanks to two tap-ins from Gavin Watkins and a superb free kick from Charlie Powell. Neil Brown reduced the arrears before Francis struck his second to give the News their impressive victory.

Westbury Rangers A came out on top of a scrappy encounter against Winsley as a Marc Lanfear goal saw them secure two valuable points in a 1-0 win.

Pilot FC returned to winning ways with a 4-2 victory at home against Malmesbury Town.

Division One

NORTH Star A were relegated without kicking a ball after Atworth United shocked promotion chasers Maud Heath Sports with a 2-1 win.

The Sports took an early lead with an Andy Beale penalty, but a Daniel Adams double ensured United First Division football next term.

In-form Gladstone Liberal Club had a comprehensive 5-1 win over Chippenham Police in a re-arranged game. Jason Prades (2), Mick Cassidy (2) and Andri Thomas shared the goals for the Libs who have now won five games on the trot. Jason Roberts netted the Police's consolation.

Division Two

WITH leaders Terry's FC having their game against Old Lane United postponed, West End Wanderers took full advantage of the situation to reclaim top spot with a 3-1 win over North Bradley.

Shane Thornton, on his debut, put Wanderers ahead before Chris Gale levelled. Nathan Mantle then struck two goals in the last five minutes to earn Wanderers both points.

Goals from Simon Scattergood, Tim Knight, Steve Cleverly and Royston Aust earned Miller Sports a 4-0 victory over Pig and Whistle United.

Referee Tony Frith had an excellent game.

Cooper-Avon were unable to conjure up their first points of the season against fellow strugglers Potley United, who triumphed with a 7-1 score line. Steve Healy (2), James Hearsay (2), Liam Healy (2) and Will Edwards were on target for Potley. Simon Hatfield netted Avon's consolation.

Sutton Benger, who were not in league action, received a boost in their fight to avoid relegation after it was decided at a recent management committee meeting that they would be awarded two points from their recent game with Old Lane United which was abandoned with the score at 1-0.