The first leg of the 32nd Dr. R. L. Hayman waterpolo encounter was played at the Sugathadasa Swimming complex today (27th October) with Royal College carrying a nine goal lead in to the 2nd leg.
1st quarter
The 32nd edition of the prestigious Dr. R. L. Hayman waterpolo encounter got off to an electric start with some early exchanges into each other’s goals by both teams.
Pure Dominance by Bishop’s Water Polo
RCUAC Challenge Shield – “For the Love of the Game”
S. Thomas number 5 Dinuk Wickramasinghe opened the scoring with a brilliant play by the lads in blue and black just a matter of seconds into the game. The Thomians did not hold back after the opening goal; they tested the Royal goalie twice before hitting the 2-minute mark in the game.
Royal College replied with a bang, finding the net through number 6 Dinal Wallepilli, Royal did not hold back with their aggressive intentions; they took an early advantage through prop Ramiru Aluthge.
Thomian vice captain Shehran Nawaz went on to equalize twice after Lithium Karunesena scoring for Royal to make the scoreline 3- 2. Before the whistle blew for the 1st quarter Wellapali went on to gain the advantage for Royal.
Q1 – RC 4 – 3 STC
2nd Quarter
Royal star player Talal Bary kicked off the 2nd quarter with winning the swim off and going on to score to make it 5 goals to 3. With some classy defensive work denying the Thomian offense specially Shehran Nawaz Royal college scored yet again through the 16 year old Ramiru Aluthge yet again. Royal college goalie Vinuda Somakeerthi was outstanding in the 2nd quarter making the main difference.
With some lapse of concentration by the S. Thomas’ defence they conceded a penalty which was converted by Dinal Wallepilli on the rebound. Then making things worse for S. Thomas Young Ramiru Aluthge scored twice to gain a six goal lead for Royal. Just before the final whistle for the 2nd quarter whistle went off wallepelli made it 10 goals to 3 making things bad to worse for S.Thomas’ in the second quarter where they went without scoring.
Q2 – RC 10-3 STC
Third Quarter
Royal asserted their dominance from the beginning of the 3rd quarter, Ramiru Aluthge made it 11 goals for Royal. Thomians playing without any hope saw some light at the end of the tunnel through Riveen Perera’s welcome goal for S. Thomas’. Since then S.Thomas’ was trying to force the error with some positive play and through Dinuk Wickramasinghe’s back to back goals. S.Thomas’ ended the 3rd quarter with lots of positives going into the break even though Royal having the advantage of 15 goals to 8.
Q3 – RC 15-8 STC
Fourth Quarter
The 4th and final quarter was a bit on the dull side non of the teams failing to record Shots on target in the opening exchanges. In the dying minutes of the game Lithium karunasena continued the good game he had with making the score 16 to 8 in favour of Royal. He went on to score another goal to put the cherry on top for royal and carry a 9 goal lead going in to the 2nd leg on the 4th of October.
With all the goals being scored left right and center Royal College goalie Vinuda Somakeerthi was the standout player by making some important and crucial saves throughout the game. Best being the penalty save off the Nihlash’s penalty in the 4th quarter.
FT – RC 18 – 9 STC
Catch the live action of the the second leg which will be played on the 4th of October at the Sugathadasa Swimming pool Complex through Sri Lanka’s No. 1 Sports channel ThePapare
 with Royal College carrying a nine goal lead in to the 2nd leg.){kind=link}