IT'S the cream of local Cup competitions and such is the attraction that everyone seems to want to play to the very finish.

Of 21 ties an incredible six went all the way to extra time while two went on to penalties.

The longest was perhaps the most dramatic as Hamble Harriers trailed Colden Common by 2-0 (Simon Waters and Pete Winkle) but pulled back to lead 3-2 through Grant Patterson, Neil Janes and Mark Thompson with a minute to go. Then Common went straight down the other end to equalise through Mark Heuze following a corner and won an agonizing penalty shoot out 7-6, Dave Burgess keeping his cool to slot home the decider.

Solent WTL were denied by brilliant goalkeeping from Blackfield keeper Glen Bull as the teams finished 1-1 after extra time and the penalty shoot out ended 4-2 to the Watersiders. Ben Hilman scored the B&L goal with Jamie Figg equalising. Youngster Ben Mutimear tucked away the winning spot kick.

A double hat-trick secured Otterbourne Reserves' passage with Jamie Nash and Andy Samuels splitting the six between them as Bishop's Waltham Reserves were ko'd 6-0.

Spartans' moment of glory was denied them as Mottisfont recovered from a fourth-minute Lee Lake opener to win 2-1 thanks to an extra time Phil Hunt penalty after Matt Street had been up-ended. Street had scored an earlier penalty to take it to extra time.

Winchester City Reserves won 5-3 in extra time against Botley Village after the sides finished 90 minutes at 3-3. Cup favourites Eastleigh Reserves won 4-0 at Braishfield.

VT Reserves will hope to keep their name on the trophy after a 2-0 win at Survey Reserves. Renowned cup fighters Lyndhurst triumphed 4-1 at QK Southampton with goals from Matt Storer, Harrison, Glen Maidment and Simon Edwicker.

Four teams - AFC Target, Brendon, Classic Coms and Netley Central Reserves - were kicking their heels as two ties had to be postponed due to major road works in West End.

It left no vehicle access to the area and the interests of player safety left no alternative but to put them off to next Saturday.