S.Thomas’ College put up a dominant performance to overcome their traditional rivals Royal College at the 40th Annual Royal Thomian Regatta worked off at the Colombo Rowing Club today.
The Thomians wrapped up the Regatta as fast as possible, winning the first five races to put the result of the overall trophy beyond doubt. They then managed to put the icing on the cake by winning the Senior Fours to retain the coveted Crossed Oars.
Sandesh Bartlett was adjudged the most valuable oarsmen of the day, and it was he who got the Thomians off to a winning start by winning the A Scull while setting a regatta record. He was backed up by his crewmate Vishan Gunathilleke who, rowing in his first ever Royal Thomian, achieved a similar feat in the B sculls to hand the Thomians an early advantage.
The momentum continued long enough for the Thomians, who racked up impressive victories in the two Pair events and the A double scull to rack up an unassailable 28 – 0 lead. Royal College put up their first points on the board by winning the B double scull and then followed it up with an impressive performance to win the B Fours, but the damage had already been done.
The final event of the evening, the A Four, has a special importance surrounding it for the crews, and while the Regatta was out of their grasp, it was Royal College’s final opportunity for glory. It was not to be however, as the Thomian four put up a dominant performance to romp home to victory, sealing the Crossed Oars and confirming that the T. Noel Fernando Memorial Trophy would be retained with the final score line reading 40 to 12 in favour of S. Thomas’ College.
In the events held without points, Royal claimed the Under 16 fours and the C Four, while STC won the Old Boy’s Four.
