A GIANT-SLAYING victory in the League Cup for Stoke Gabriel, a second successive win for Brixham Villa in Division Two and a slender victory for promotion chasing Plainmoor in Division One...

It was success all the way for South area teams in the Westward Developments Devon Women's League at the weekend, with Division Two leaders Stoke Gabriel setting the pace following a dramatic 5-4 win over Premier Division side University of Plymouth to reach the semi-finals of the League Cup.

"Win or lose, I told the players to take the occasion on board and leave everything out on the pitch," said Stoke manager Mike Calf.

"Once it got to 3-3 at half-time, I assured the players they could still win, and even had faith in the team when we went 4-3 behind in the second half."

Calf was on the horns of a dilemma at that stage with four substitutes still fresh on the bench, yet he stuck with those already on the pitch for Laura Shaw to equalise and April Chudleigh to snatch the winner eight minutes from time.

"University were tiring by then, so I did eventually bring on the substitutes to help see the game out," added Calf.

Ellie Hellyer struck Stoke's opener with a free kick that curled round a five-strong wall into the net.

It cancelled out University's 10th minute lead, while further goals from Ellie Lake and Shaw kept Stoke in the game as the score-line repeatedly changed hands until Shaw and Chudleigh's late salvos.

Stoke now face Alphington in the semi-finals after the East Devon side knocked out holders Lipson United 5-0, Laura Burwood scoring all five.

In Sunday's other quarter-finals, Exeter City swamped Phoenix Club 11-0, with Newton Abbot based Kirsty Caunter grabbing a double hat-trick. And they will face Exeter & Tedburn Rangers in the other semi-final after Rangers drew 3-3 with Activate before winning the penalty shoot-out 2-1.

In the league, Brixham Villa's 6-1 victory at home to Georgeham & Croyde owed much to striker Leanne Hunt following her recent return to the club from Premier Division Exmouth Town.

She scored four to add to her one against Activate the previous week, with Bev Head chipping in with the other two to make it two successive wins for Villa having failed to pick a point in any of their previous games this season.

Inevitably, Hunt also picked up Villa's 'Gromit Player of the Match having launched her personal goal spree in the eighth minute following good approach work from Head and Vanessa May.

Her second to make it 2-0m shortly before the interval followed a solo run, , while completing her hat-hunt trick six minutes in the second half courtesy of another May assist.

Hunt's fourth, and Villa's fifth, came on the hour after beating four defenders and stroking the ball into the corner of the net.

Meanwhile, Plainmoor's 1-0 victory at home to Tavistock saw the Torquay side close the gap to three points on Division One leaders Totnes & Dartington SC Reserves.

Tasha Tanner scored the all-important goal midway through the first half with a cross shot, her second strike in her second game since returning from injury.

"It was scrappy, but Tavistock belied their position one off the bottom of the table," said Plainmoor manager, Dave Jolly.

"They were dangerous going forward, and fit and determined in defence, so it's a mystery why they haven't done so well."

Plainmoor didn't help themselves by giving away possession too frequently, but were fortunate in having a fortress of a back four in Sarah King, Vicky Plant, Tracy Jolly and Julie Quaintance.

Plant was the pick of the quartet , while the rest of the side at least had the satisfaction of grinding out a winning result without being at their best.

Elsewhere in Division One, games between Totnes and Dartington Reserves and Axminster and University of Plymouth and Okehampton were both cancelled because of water-logged pitches.

SUNDAY'S RESULTS

League Cup (quarter-finals): Alphington 5 Lipson United 0, Phoenix Club 0 Exeter City 11, Activate 3 Exeter & Tedburn Rangers 3 (Rangers won 2-1 on penalties), Stoke Gabriel 5 University of Exeter 4.

Premier Division: Exmouth Town 2 Bideford 4.

Division One: Plainmoor 1 Tavistock 0, Totnes & Dartington SC Res v Axminster, University of Plymouth v Okehampton Argyle, both postponed.

Division Two: Brixham Villa 6 Georgeham & Croyde 1.