The much await Dr. R. L. Hayman Trophy finally kicked off yesterday with a massive number of spectators from both sides and both teams lived up to the picture perfect Roy- Tho rivalry and gave a nail biting finish to the 1st leg of the 2014 edition.
The Royal team was led by Akila Weerasinghe and the Thomains who were led by Deelaka Weerarathna took to the pool under dark clouds but weather gods were kind enough to give us a prefect Water Polo playing conditions weather.
Royal College drew 1st blood through a goal from Chandula Fernando in the 3rd minute of the game taking Royal in to the lead but the Thomains managed to score in the 4th minute from a goal by Ashane Fransis to end the 1st quarter at 1-all.
Thomians then took major honors in the 2nd leg when Keshan Munasinghe scored in the 2nd and 5th minute in the quarters to give Thomians a 2 goal lead but Royal’s Yasodha Wasalage scored in the 6th minute to reduce the Thomain lead to 3-2 end of the 2nd quarter.
Sachithra Jayathilaka of STC scored just even before 30 second from the start of the 3rd quarter to giving the Thomians another 2 goal lead but Royal’s goal from Kisal Assalarachchi and Chandula Fernando in the 6th and 7th minutes of the quarters ended the quarter at 4-all making the game ‘to grab’ for both sides in the final quarter.
But the Thomains showed they were the superior side on this day as drawing 2 goals from Captain Deelaka Weerarathna and Keshan Munasinghe in the very 1st and 2nd minutes of the final quarter. Royal’s Chandula Fernando cut short the lead with a goal in the 6th minute but Thomian Shakya Gunathilaka scored once again in the 6th minute to giving the Thomains a 2 goal lead with a score line of 7-5 end of the 1st leg.
For the Thomians it was Junior Sri Lanka Cap Keshan Munasinghe who was the star player with 3 goals such he will cherish this moment as this was the 1st set of Hayman goals for this experienced Hayman campaigner.
In the Junior Game Royal beat STC 9-8 to take the 1st leg lead. Royal now find themselves in the same situation as 2012 where they were behind by 2 goals but came back all the way to win back the Hayman for the 1st time in the history as a comeback victory.
Will STC hold on the Royal attack to win the Hayman or will Royal once again come back from 1st leg defeat to win back the Hayman? All questions will be answered on the 11th October from 3pm onwards at the Sugathadasa Swimming Pool Complex when Royal and STC meet once again in the 2nd and deciding leg of the Dr. R. L. Hayman Trophy 2014.
