THE USA has retained their Lacrosse World Cup title after beating Australia 14-8 at the weekend's final in High Wycombe.

The Americans put in an impressive second half performance on Saturday to destroy any Australian hopes of taking the title, which they last won in 1986.

The England team who had high hopes of reaching the final themselves had to settle for bronze after beating Canada 9-4 in the third and fourth place play-off at Wycombe Wanderers ground Adams Park, Sands.

England goalkeeper Anita Thorose, of Gordon Road, High Wycombe, said: "I thought we could have got to the final. Unfortunately the Australians just hit a purple patch in our semi final."

In the final the lead swung between the USA and Australia for the first half before the Americans upped the tempo after the break to put a stranglehold on their opponents.

Despite the Aussies pulling it back to 12-8, through a hat-trick from Michelle Lincoln with four minutes remaining, the Americans never really looked under threat of losing their title and won the cup for the fifth time.

Councillor Bill Jennings, chairman of Wycombe District Council, said the championships took a lot of money to accommodate but brought in trade.

He said: "It helps put Wycombe on the map and we have to be honoured and pleased."

Tory Poole, manager of The Papermill, Loudwater, said it was so busy they turned people away.

She said: "We had a lot of people staying with us that were here to watch the championships."

Qualifiers were held at Wycombe Abbey School.