The OHAFC Veterans scored a wonderful goal shortly before half-time and proceeded to produce a sterling rearguard action to hold on against a physically strong and determined Eton team and reach their third Derrick Moore Veterans Cup final in the last five seasons.

An extra-time win over Malvern in round one and a bye over Forest due to some fixture confusion sent John Wyn-Evans' side to Eton on Sunday morning knowing they would have to be at their best to progress against last season's champions.

The two teams have enjoyed some titanic struggles in the recent past, with Eton emerging victorious in both a Cup final and a Plate final - on both occasions earning the silverware despite being outplayed. Sunday saw the roles reversed, with the hosts on top for the majority of the game, but Harrow's defence standing firm to help ensure a third consecutive defeat was avoided.

Despite concerns over the looming London Marathon, both Quentin Baker and Dom Danos were fit for action and a strong front six also including Harry Hoffen, Lederman, Molloy and Jamie Waugh - back from his self-imposed exile following 'lunchgate'.

Jon Ingram was named as 'keeper with a back four of Phil Berry, playing his first season in the side, Nick Warner, Mark Baddeley and Charlie Feather. The sight of both Feather and Hoffen making the start for a 10.30am kick-off astonishing the watching Woolleys, Keenans, Tweddle and linesman Bobby 'When do I wave this thing?' Tindall.

Eton's pitch was in as good a shape as it ever has been to welcome an OHAFC side and with conditions set fair and an excellent referee in charge everything was set for a humdinger of a semi-final.

Eton started strongly and were clearly desperate to make their third consecutive final. They pinned Harrow back for long spells of the opening half an hour as the visitors struggled to release the pressure, with long balls forward to Hoffen and Danos regularly gobbled up by the sizeable Eton back four.

Chances were few and far between with the Harrow back four maintaining a semblance of control despite some awkward moments that threatened a breakthrough for the hosts.

Eton came closest from a corner with a goalmouth scramble resulting in Jon Ingram throwing himself into the melee and triumphantly emerging with the ball.

As the half wore on however, spaces began to appear across the pitch and slowly Harrow's passing improved and play shifted up the pitch on a more regular basis.

In truth, with neither goalkeeper really having been tested, a goalless first half looked inevitable, but that all changed when the visitors put together a sweeping counter-attack two minutes from the break: play was broken up on the edge of the Harrow box and Molloy fed Lederman on the right, he swiftly sent Hoffen sprinting down the wing, but with only Danos in the box his options looked limited. The striker pulled the ball back towards the edge of the box and Danos adjusted superbly, reacting quickest to reach the ball before his marker and fire the ball in first time on the slide leaving the excellent Eton goalkeeper with no chance.

At half-time Charlie Feather was removed with skipper Wyn-Evans moving to left wing and Waugh to left back. But those plans were scuppered within five minutes as Jamie's fragile hamstring stretched itself once too often and he had to limp off, Feather coming back on after an all-too-short rest.

The opening periods of the half were even with both sides trying their best to score the crucial second goal. Eton were more threatening and twice forced Ingram into excellent diving saves - on both occasions Jon parried the ball before bravely collecting the rebounds as attackers closed in. Eton striker Damien Lewis then came within inches of scoring a fine equaliser when his lob left Ingram stranded but landed on the top of the crossbar and bounced to safety. A number of corners were forced which Harrow defended with relative comfort.

Despite this, it was the visitors who had the best chance to settle the tie decisively in their favour when an excellent Molloy crossfield pass sent Lederman clear to run at the back four. The winger dummied his full-back and cut inside but with just the 'keeper to beat fired his left-foot shot over the bar to groans from the touchline.

The result was concerted Eton pressure for the final quarter of an hour with several Harrovians now struggling physically. Rupert Hoffen made his first appearance of the season despite being advised by his physio not to play - but he made some vital interceptions at right-back and the visitors' rearguard held firm.

An agonising five minutes of injury time was safely seen out and the Blues reached their third final, finally laying their Eton hoodoo to rest.

On this occasion all the plaudits must go to the back four and 'keeper Jon Ingram who battled superbly to keep a clean sheet in difficult circumstances. Phil Berry enjoyed a fine game at full-back and Dom Danos produced the one moment of magic that separated the sides.

Harrow must wait until early April to find out their final opposition with Brentwood and Aldenham the other semi-final. The final takes place on April 17th at 2pm at the Bank of England Ground and all support will be greatly appreciated by the (old) boys.