Buckhurst Hill Lacrosse Club have reached the League and Plate Final after beating Oxford University 9-6.

Despite a tense opening 10 minutes, Bucks cruised to a 3-1 lead at the quarter and were then always in control.

Seamus Monaghan, the game’s leading scorer, weaved some rare Irish magic with a double hat trick.

Chris Mitchell (2) and Albert Whitehead (1) provided the remaining Bucks goals.

Oxford were restricted to a minimum of chances by an excellent Bucks defence, despite a lapse late in the fourth quarter.

The return of veteran midfielder Steven Cummins has coincided with a run of three wins a row.

The Bucks will hope his talismanic presence pays dividends in the Plate Final in March.

Buckhurst will next face Maidstone Red Wolves at Roding Lane on Saturday, February 20.