by Sarah McGuire

The Men’s Lacrosse team saw Bristol off in an easy fashion to take a semi final spot after a casual 27-2 victory.

The team did not hesitate to fly the Durham flag with the score opening up to 7-0 after the first quarter. The Palatinates remained on Bristol’s backs, pressuring their passes and allowing no room for mistake. Not surprisingly the face off continued to be snatched up by the purple and white shirts and was quickly delivered into the attacking half. With the scoreboard already reading 3-0, Terrance Nash took up the opportunity to send the ball to the awaiting stick of John Wheeldon who drove into the restrainer and took an easy 4th goal for the Palatinates.

Coach Mike McTernan continually fought off the Bristol sticks, picking up loose balls and sending them down pitch, anticipating goal driven movement from his team mates. This set up soon made way for Jeremy Sieverts to hold his space and sling the ball in from the restrainer. Durham were running Bristol ragged.

Agitation soon appeared on Bristol’s faces but never presented a threat for the composed Palatinates. Durham were able to hold onto the ball for longer periods of time despite the tendency for possession to swing back and forth between teams. Their line of defence appeared unbreakable with Bristol lacking opportunities to push goalkeeper Adam Szczepanski into making a save.

Durham continued to dodge through their counterparts, creating and securing numerous chances with Sieverts being repeatedly cruel to the Bristol defence in his manner of a casual approach yet vicious strike.  However the visitors were continually able to save a number of shots from the Palatinates, yet an easy goal came from a partnership between Nash, who took the ball round the back of the goal, and Dave Bennett who was freely waiting by the post to finish the first half.

The second half began with a skilful backward overhead shot from McTernan after Kyle Standiford secured the face off and sent the ball down pitch.  McTernan frequently assisted Durham’s destruction of Bristol, picking up long range passes and setting up optimal positions to attack, yet Bristol were finally rewarded with a goal after a brief slip of concentration from the hosts. This did not stop Durham from reeling in a handful of goals before the final whistle with Pete Hannapel, Ric Topham and Freddie Muirhead getting their names on the scoresheet.

Bristol earned themselves a debatable goal in the dying stages and attempted to fight back, however the fight was too little too late with McTernan securing a goal delivered off balance and Royce scooping in the final goal of the match.

The men now go forward to face Sheffield in the semi finals in what promises to be a well fought match. Their bid for National Champion status continues.