The second leg of the 32nd Dr. R. L. Hayman waterpolo encounter was played at the Sugathhadasa Swimming complex today (4th of October) with Royal College making history by beating the previous aggregate goal scoring record set by S. Thomas’ back 2022.
First Quarter
The second leg began just as the previous week with an early goal by Thomian prop Dinuk Wickramasinghe giving S. Thomas’ the early advantage in the early exchanges, which didn’t last long for a long time, where Bihandu Katugampola in a matter of seconds after conceding early. Amidst things Thomian vice captain Shehran Nawaz converted a penalty giving S. Thomas’ slender lead by a goal early in the first quarter. Since it was all Royal College who did the scoring. Royal went on to score another five goals, a couple coming off of Lithum Karunasena made Royal take the lead six goals to three at the end of the first quarter.
- Goal-Fest in Hayman first leg, but Somakeerthi steals the show
- RCUAC Challenge Shield – “For the Love of the Game”
Q1 – RC 6 – 3 STC (Agg: 24 – 12)
Second Quarter
The second wasn’t enterprising as the first half more of a physical game was played in the second quarter. Only three goals were scored by both the teams. As you might have guessed by now Lithum Karunasena scored both the goals scored by Royal, while Michael Gunwardene did score the only goal scored by the Thomians.
Q2 – RC 8 – 4 STC (Agg: 26 – 13)
Third Quarter
S. Thomas’ started the third quarter on a positive note with the goal by S. Athesha reduced the deficit by three goals. But since it was all Royal College spreading their dominance all over the Sugathadasa swimming pool. Royal College. The only positive for S. Thomas’ all this quarter/game was Athesha Senticumaran scoring a hat-trick in the third quarter. The quarter ended Royal extending the aggregate goal tally by 14 goals.
Q3 – RC 14 – 9 STC (Agg: 32 – 18)
Fourth Quarter
The fourth and final quarter was nothing short of brilliance by Royal College. The Royalists let the Thomians just four times to go at their goal where the Thomians managed to score only a single goal. Royal College had a walk in the park this quarter since they had a healthy lead in the aggregate goal tally and going onto retaining the Dr. R. L. Hayman trophy at Reid avenue for another year,
FT – RC 20 – 10 STC (Agg: 38 – 19)
 with Royal College making history by beating the previous aggregate goal scoring record set by S. Thomas’ back 2022.){kind=link}