Thomians Take First Leg Honours In Style

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The much awaited 22nd  Dr. R.L. Hayman Trophy – 1st Leg announced the beginning of another interesting waterpolo season.

 

Before the game, S. Thomas’ College had the stronger side on paper with the more experience side in comparison to the Royalists who had to replace six players from the previous year.

However, it was the boys from Reid Avenue who opened the scoring at the Sugathadasa Pool with a fast break that eventually helped Rifat Uwais set up an easy shot to the left bottom corner to put his team a goal ahead.

The Thomians hit back a few minutes later in response to a failed counter attacking attempt by the Royalists as captain Devshan de Mel helped the Thomians equalize.

Royal recovered well but had many missed chances as Akila Weerasinghe scuffed a penalty opportunity at the end of the first quarter that changed the momentum of the game.

However, the Royalists managed to scrape through a goal in the second quarter courtesy of Kisal Wanniarachchi who safely lobbed it over the goalkeeper. But the lead was short lived as A. Sourjah  levelled it for the Thomians once again as the ding dong battle continued with the scores level at 2 a piece towards the end of the second quarter.

The Thomians took the lead for the first time as Waleed failed to secure the ball after a brilliant save initially as the follow up shot found the back of the net.

The momentum shifted completely towards the Thomians as Francis managed to slot in another goal that left the Royalists with a lot of catching up to do with the scores at 4-2.

A.P.D. Peries and the Francis brothers made merry in the third quarter as the Thomians raced to seven goals with ease.

Royal staged a mini come back with two goals in quick succession as Chandula Fernando scored a penalty and Rifat Uwais scoring a blinder to make the scores 7-5

The Reid Avenue boys had another good opportunity to reduce the deficit to just one goal when the Thomians were left with an extra man to defend but the opportunity was squandered and the pressure was lifted. 

Deelaka Weerarathne added the icing on the cake with a brilliant counter attacking play that summed up the Thomian performance throughout the game as the first leg concluded with an 8-5 advantage to deserving winners S. Thomas’.

It will take a lot of heart from the Royalists to come back from three goals down next week at the 2nd leg of the Dr. R.L. Hayman Trophy but they will keep last year’s performance in mind. However, the Thomians have a simpler job of keeping their composure as every goal scored next week will put further pressure on the Royalists.

Goal Scorers

Royal  College

Rifat Uwais 2

Kisal Wanniarachchi

Gavin Weerasinghe

Chandula Fernando

S. Thomas’ College

Devshan de Mel

Akeel Sourjah

A.Francis 

D. Francis

A.P.D. Peries 3

Deelaka weeraratne