The Thomians were nothing short of perfect. Shakya Gunathilake’s S. Thomas’ water polo team made the national title winners Royal College look like an amateur outfit when they finished on an 8-4 scoreline in the 1st leg of the Dr R. L. Hayman Trophy.
Isura Kahandawala’s four-goal streak and Dilith Kumarasinghe’s goalkeeping saw S. Thomas’ College getting the better off the 1st episode of the 26th edition of the Hayman trophy that was played at the Sugathadasa waters last weekend.
Read about the 1st leg: Kahandawala inspires S. Thomas’ to emphatic Hayman lead
The Thomian Hayman five-peat is four goals closer and the reigning champions will go into the second leg to retain the silverware for the fifth year running at Mount Lavinia. They have earned all right to do so after their impressive stint last week.
Kahandawala opened the scoring with skipper Shakya Gunathilake contributing with his long-range shots for S. Thomas’ last week but the second quarter surge did the deal for the boys from Mount Lavinia scoring a total of four goals while denying the Royalists of any scoring opportunities.
“Eight minutes did the trick for the Thomians” in the 1st leg with a dedicated effort from all seven players in the pool saw Royal thriving and failing in all attempts to score.
WATCH: 1st Leg Highlights
Alongside Kahandawala, Shannon Ebenezer was untouched by the Royalists and skipper Gunathilake looked to have complete control of the game, marking territory and finding the right passes.
The Royalists will march into the second leg with memories of the 2012 comeback where the Shan Lakshitha led Royal team staged a 5-1 win in the second leg to retain the Hayman 9-7.
It would be too much to dream for Basith Yakoob’s team that managed to get only three goals over (1 goal came through a penalty) in the first leg. It was a disappointing day for the Royalists who couldn’t get their basics right.
There were several chances that went begging for the boys from Reid Avenue but the Blue and Gold will look positively with seven days of respite. Coach Bilal Hassen will need to keep hope with his boys who would return to Sugathadasa this weekend to fight to bring back the title after five long years.
Shakya Gunathilake’s Thomian team didn’t have too many stars but what they did right was getting their basics correct and using the opportunities that were gifted. This got them to a success story in the first leg.
S. Thomas’ wouldn’t worry too much on the second. They go in with a four-goal cushion and will look to build from thereon to a title retention.
Perhaps the Royalists can draw inspiration from their counterparts; get the game-plan right and leave no margin for error. Provided they execute this successfully, Basith Yakoob’s team can go down in history as the team that won a Hayman after trailing by 4 goals.
Catch the 2nd leg of the Dr R. L. Hayman Trophy on the 7th of October 2017 from the Sugathadasa Swimming Pool Complex on Dialog TV Channel 1, My Tv and ThePapare.com
LIVE : Royal-Thomian 26th Dr. R.L Hayman Trophy Water Polo 2nd Leg
