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S.Thomas' Collge Mount Lavinia scored an emphatic 11 goals to 3 victory over Royal College Colombo in the second leg of their annual water polo encounter for the Dr. R.C. Hayman Trophy, played at the Thomian pool on Friday. This is the highest score the Thomians have registered against Royal in a single match, in the brief history of this battle in the water, which began in 1992. The Thomians who beat Royal in the first leg 5- 3 thus retained the trophy for the 11 consecutive year with the final goal tally reading 16-6.

Dhanushka Saram was the man of the moment for S' Thomas' giving his side the early lead with three superb long range shorts in the first quarter. He followed this up with another goal in the third quarter. In the second quarter captain Wayne de Silva scored a powerful shot from the bar position and Lasitha Perera made a quick break from the wing, and after receiving a good pass from goalie Laksitha Kosgodage scored the Thomians fifth goal.

Kosgodage was in fine form, making some very good saves and accurate long passes. Royal made a feeble come back in the latter stages of the second quarter when Damith Rozairo scored a goal from the prop position. However the Thomains with their superior swimming, ball handling skills and shots continued to breathe fire on the Royalists in the third quarter. Senior coloursman Julian Joseph scored from the wing in an extra man situation, and Rajive Nagarajah executed a lovely lob shot from the right wing, totally foxing the Royal Goalie.

Nagarajah went on to score two more goals in the fourth and final quarter, one off a quick break and the other another lob shot, this time from the left wing.

Amiel Weerasinghe scored a penalty for Royal in the third quarter, in with the scores reading 8-2, it was clear to the large crowd gathering that S. Thomas' would emerge victorious unless Royal conjured up a miracle. In the final quarter Royalist Damith Rozairo who has been his team's most consistent scorer this season scored off a quick break and Thoamin vice captain Dilhan de Silva scored by making a quick break and receiving a good pass from Thanura Abeywardane.

Abeywardane who scored four goals for S.Thomas' in the first leg and Dhanushka Saram who scored four goals in the second leg were jointly awarded the trophy for the most outstanding performance. This is the second consecutive year Abeywardane has won this award. Both these players will be in the Thomain outfit next year as well, and will no doubt continue to be a threat to Royal.

The Hayman trophy is the fourth title won by champion Thomian team who already have the Novices championship, the Junior Nationals championship and the Inter School championship to boast of this year. With this most recent and convincing victory over their archrivals, they will definitely by going in to the finals of the national championship against the Air Force team next week as favourites. The Chief Guest at the event was Principal of Royal College H.L.B. Gomez, and K. Yapa and N. Bamunuarachchi refereed the game. Royal won the junior game 6-2.

The Winning Thomain Team: Wayen De Silva (Capt), Dilhan De Silva, Thanura Abeywardena, Rajiv Nagarajah, Lakshitha Kosgodage, Julian Joseph, Nishantha Fernando, Lasitha Perera, Dhanushka Saram, Dilshan Fernando, Dhkshitha Thamanegama, Dilan Perera, Zafar Zainudeen. Coach: Nawaff Mubarak.

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