THE fourth annual Tri-Nation Lacrosse Tournament hosted by the Bermuda Lacrosse Association (BLA) saw its share of first-class competition at the Bailey’s Bay Cricket Club’s Sea Breeze Oval. The tournament, which attracted the largest group of players to date, included three teams comprised of players representing their home countries — Bermuda, Canada and the United States.

The round-robin tournament featured three games. Team Bermuda squared off against Team Canada in a nail-biter of an opening round, taking them to double overtime, with Canada scoring in the dying moments to secure a 6-5 win.

The local contingent then locked horns with Team USA in a hotly contested second-round game in which the US were forced to work hard for their last-minute goal to secure a 7-6 win.

Team USA were eventually crowned undisputed victors after dispatching Team Canada. Team Bermuda did not have to hang their heads as their players displayed vastly improved stick handling, ball skills and communication among their team-mates.

This year’s tournament attracted a wide cross-section of players from all age groups and skill levels. The formidable father and son duo from the local contingent Sean Moore (defence) and his son Tucker (attack) were a force to be reckoned with, as was John Buchanan (midfield), a high-school student at school in the US.

The BLA was formed in 2002 and has attracted players who have played on preparatory and university teams and people who have never seen a game before.

The Association is currently looking for interested students to put together a team to participate in the Under-19 World Championships in British Columbia in July 2008. A Bermuda team played in last summer’s World Games in London, Ontario to much fanfare and success.

In the winter, BLA plays every Thursday evening at the Saltus Senior School gym and is looking to field a team to go to a tournament in Newport, Rhode Island this summer.

In Game 1’s (winter league) battle for the basement, the Hammerheads took on the Bones Brigade, winning on the back of superstar goal scorer Barry Lohan’s nine goals.

The Bones Brigade overcame a four-goal first-half deficit only to lose by one at the full-time whistle.

There was definitely no love lost between these two teams as captains Lohan and Adam Szakmary put on a goal-scoring exhibition, combining for 17 of the total 31 goals scored in the 16-15 match.

The two battled each other on the defensive side as well, handing out stiff stick checks while hustling for loose ground balls. Rich Schneider and Ernie Theriault combined for 64 saves in net.

Game two featured a shootout for first place between the Northrox and Money Shots. Steve Michel, fresh off the DL, showed why he was drafted while not yet part of the league, going for nine goals to lead the Money Shots while the ‘Man Among Boys’ Theriault scored five and had three assists for the Northrox.

The Money Shots used their ‘economy of motion’ style to keep the score close in the first half while they exploded near the conclusion to take the 19-12 victory.

The results of these games broke the ties for the first and last place, and we now have a race for the championship developing for the second half of the league.

For more information, people can visit BLA’s web site at www.bermudalacrosse.com or call Michael Totman at 278-2215.