It speaks volumes about the passionate partisanship that inter school rivalries evoke in this country when the most high profile event in a sport happens to be at the school level. Few clashes demonstrate the intensity and passion of this culture as the showpiece event in the schools’ Water Polo calendar: The Annual Royal Thomian encounter for the Dr. R. L Hayman Trophy.
The 23rd instalment of this aquatic rivalry will commence this Saturday, as the first leg gets underway at the Sugathadasa Indoor Swimming Pool. The physical nature of the sport coupled with the prestige associated with victory ensures that every rendition of “The Hayman” is tense adrenaline fuelled rollercoaster- but as always, this year’s tale carries its own unique twists.
Every Hayman story begins with the closing scenes of the last one. In this case, it is a sea of blue and black raucously celebrating a scoreboard that read in favour of their Reid Avenue opponents. A score line of 4-3 in your favour doesn’t often evoke a funereal atmosphere, but it was made the case here due to the double leg system that is implemented in this encounter. An 8 – 5 victory in the first leg was proved to be enough as the Thomians reclaimed the shield, breaking the stranglehold that Royal had started to exert on the series.
As such, for Royal, this year is about redemption. This year’s captain Akila Weerasinghe will lead an experienced team that will be hungry to make amends for their shortcomings last year. The Royal team comprises of nine coloursmen this year: nine experienced players that know firsthand what it’s like to be on the losing side, and will be determined to prevent that from happening to them again this time around. The team has undergone a change in the coaching department, with Aloka Prelis returning to the team after a two year gap. With a strong team and support system, the Royalists certainly have the ingredients to put up a very strong showing in the water. Considering their opponents, that will most likely be needed.
S.Thomas’ would love to go back to their old habit of consistently winning Haymans. They dominated the contest in its early years until Royal turned the tables on them in the recent past. Having fought tooth and nail to reclaim the shield last year, they will be looking to extend their hold on it. Led by Deelaka Weerarathne, the Thomian outfit is young one. However, with 8 coloursmen in their ranks, their youth only serves as a reminder of the scary potential next year brings. As far as Saturday is concerned, they are very much ready for the challenge. Zafar Zainudeen continues to hold the reins as head coach following a successful campaign last year, and the Thomians further strengthened their coaching ranks by doing work with Adam Zoltan, a Hungarian ‘A’ division player, and a French cup winner. The Thomians will hope that this added experience and education will give them the edge in the water, while the Royal camp is of the view that it could serve as an added burden to the expectations on the Thomians.
The two teams have met once this year, in the inter school tournament, with the Thomians sneaking a one goal win. They were slated to meet once more in the finals of the same tournament but the Thomian team elected to withdraw, handing the Royalists a walkover. Problems with regards to the tournament were cited as reasons, but in a sport where the Royal Thomian takes precedence over even the inter school championship, there will be speculation that Saturday’s impending clash played a role in this decision. In any case, the only evidence available suggests that the two teams are extremely well matched up, and that Saturdays encounter has the potential to be a nail biter.
Royal will consider their strength to be in their swimming. It was their strong point last year as well and caused the Thomians quite a headache as they won swim-off after swim-off. Captain Akila Weerasinghe has gone on record saying that they expect a similar advantage this time, and the capability of having possession of the ball at the start of every quarter will be a significant boost for the Royalists.
The Thomians have reportedly done a lot of work on their individual skills with Zoltan, and may hope for one vs. one matchups to gain an edge. Royal will hope that their positioning and teamwork will be superior enough to give them an advantage, should they find themselves lacking in individual battles.
Of course the winner of the first leg is by no means guaranteed overall victory, but as those who played last year will attest, gaining a lead, both on the scoreboard and psychologically, will be an advantage not to be shirked at. It promises to be an action packed evening of high quality water polo set in a high octane atmosphere, as yet another instalment of this decades old battle unfolds.
Royal College: Akila Weerasinghe (Captain), Waleed Uwais (Vice), Yasodha Wasalage, Kavindra Samaraweera, Rifat Uwais, Chandula Fernando, Yahiya Jaffer, Kisal Assalarachchi, Thamindu Ranasinghe, Basith Yakoob, Anthony Wijewardena, Senith Samaranayake, Gavin Shanuka
S.Thomas’ College: Deelaka Weerarathne (Captain), Aqeel Sourjah (Vice), Kosala Wijewardene, Keshan Munasinghe, Ashane Francis, Sachitha Jayatilake, Deshitha Hennayake, Javindu Peiris, Duvinda Wijewardene, Stephen Jayasundara, Judith Fernando, Shakya Gunathilake, Isura Kahandawala
