Sri Lanka Police (SLP) managed to create the biggest upset in the tournament so far as they beat the strong Old Thomians Swimming Club (OTSC) ‘A’ in the 1st game of the day but lost the quarter final game later in the day to RCUAC ‘A’.
There were no other surprises in the day as top ranked men’s teams qualified for National Semi Finals and OTSC ‘A’ held on to their lead in the women’s points table remaining unbeaten in the tournament.
Men’s
In the match SL Police vs OTSC SL Police held their nerve to register a hard fought 6-5 victory over OTSC and with this victory SLP topped the Group ‘A’ while OTSC were placed 2nd in group ‘B’ and both teams qualified for quarter finals. Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) ‘C’ managed to beat SLN ‘B’ from group ‘B’ and with this victory SLN ‘C’ grabbed the 2nd spot on group ‘B’ and qualified for quarter-finals. SSC ‘A’ also registered a win when they beat RCUAC ‘B’ 7-5.
All quarter final games were held today and in the 1st game RCUAC ‘A’ faced off with SL Police ‘B’ who earlier today created a huge upset. During the game it seemed that RCUAC ‘A’ had done their home work right as they marked Police team’s top players tight and the defense of RCUAC was rock solid. The Royal attack took advantage and shot 4 goals during the game and Police managed to score just one goal. With this 4-1 victory RCUAC booked their tickets to the semi finals. Royal were without 2 of their players as they are currently touring with the Sri Lanka School’s Swimming team in China.
In the 2nd quarter -final of the day SLAF ‘B’ took on SLN ‘C’. SLN ‘C’ comprises of the likes of Bilal Hassan, Awnee Razak & Altaf Yakoob of all who has represented Sri Lanka Water Polo team in the past and some members from the current Navy Swimming team and the Navy did a good job to beat Sri Lanka Air Force ‘B’ comprehensively with a score of 9-2.
The 3rd quarter final was between SLAF ‘A’ and new entry Sri Lanka Army. The Army team played their heart out as the new entry Army boys gave the much more experienced SLAF the scare of their lives as the game was well balanced with a score of 5-4 in favor of SLAF. But with all the experience SLAF held their nerves till the end to managed a 6-4 victory over Army.
The final quarter final game was the much looked forward match of the day as SLN ‘A’ faced off with OTSC ‘A’ and the winner of this game will have a chance to go all the way to win the finals too. Both teams were equally strong and both teams were favorites to win this tournament. SLN ‘A’ comprises of over 9 national coloursman and that also includes national vice Captain Yahan Samarajeewa, also the Captain of Navy Water Polo team. OTSC ‘A’ includes National Water Polo Captain Danushka Seram and comprises of this year’s Hayman winning STC team. The match was such a close encounter from the start as both teams gave everything. Eventually SLN overcame the OTSC challenge to register a 6-3 victory and this meant SLN grabbed the final quarter final spot.
Tomorrow 3rd November RCUAC ‘A’ will take on SLN ‘C’ in the 1st semi-final while SLN ‘A’ will take on SLAF ‘A’ in the 2nd semi-final.
Women’s
Two women’s games were held today and the 1st game was between SLN and OTSC ‘C’. SLN had to score a high number of goals and also reduce their opponents to a low number of goals if they were to qualify for finals in the women’s championship and the Navy girls did exactly that. The Navy women’s team showed no mercy as they beat OTSC ‘C’ 20-00 and their chances of qualifying for the finals are very high.
In the 2nd game of the day current tournament points table leaders OTSC ‘A’ faced off with SLAF. OTSC ‘A’ was also without 3 of their star player as they are too currently on tour with the SL School’s Swimming team in China but the OTSC girls played their hearts out to beat SLAF 8-6. OTSC ‘A’ remained unbeaten with this victory and confirmed their tickets to the finals. It will be interesting how the OTSC ‘A’ girls prepare themselves for the finals as these 3 star players will not be available for Monday finals too.
Tomorrow’s matches kick off at 8am and the Men’s semi-finals will be held at 10am & 11am. Be there to witness country’s top Water Polo teams battle it out for national crown’s.
