TAUNTON Vale Plus Over-45s ladies won their semi-final away to Woking to reach the England Hockey plate finals at Lee Valley at the end of April.

It was a tough and closely-fought encounter, with Vale having to soak up a lot of Woking pressure before taking the lead through Dee Lancaster, and they led 1-0 at half time.

Both sides pressed for a crucial second goal of the game after the restart, but it was Vale who took their chance, as Jill Hansford calmly lifted the ball over the keeper for 2-0.

Woking hit back through a well-worked corner, but Vale held out to claim the victory and a spot at next month's finals.