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The annual Royal Thomian Waterpolo encounter for the Dr. R.L. Hayman Trophy was concluded recently, the first leg being held at Mount Lavinia on Friday the 17th of October with the 2nd leg being worked out at the host school in Reid Avenue on Tuesday, the 28th.

The R.L. Hayman series has been in existence since 1992 and S. Thomas' have retained the trophy since. It has grown over the years to become a major event in the sporting calendar of both schools.

Friday the 17th posed a tough battle for both teams, S. Thomas' finishing a mere two goal lead over their competition. Dhanushka Saram, Thanura Abeywardena and Dhakshitha Thamanegama contributed to the STC tally with a goal each, while Royal Vice Captain, Nirosh Attanayake did the scoring for his team.

The Royal team never gave the opposition an easy time in the water but they could not prevent the Thomians with the better teamwork edging their way past. Thus the "2nd leg " became a much - awaited encounter, with great mounting anticipation of the Royalists in ending the Thomian domination in the series. Luck seemed to be shining on the Royalists, as they won the toss and prepared to attack the deep end, eventually scoring the first goal, Maduranga Kulatillaka doing the honours. But the Thomian Captain had other plans and immediately scored off a left backhand shot. The scores were 1-1.

The second quarter marked the captains of both teams scoring with Dhanushka Saram contributing for the Thomains off a lob shot and the score was 3 -2.

The action continued with S. Tillakeratne and Supun Kulatillaka scoring for Royal, the latter scoring in the last minute of the 3rd quarter. Thomian Dakshitha Thamanegama fought back with two goals the first being in an extra man situation. Scores stood 5 - 4.

The fourth quarter saw S. Tillekeratna scoring again, in an extra man situation. The Thomian Captain who was eventually adjudged 'Best Player" for the third consecutive year did the final honors in scoring the last goal of the event. Scores for the day ended at 6 - 5, while the overall tally was calculated at 9 - 6 in favour of S. Thomas'.

The Under 15 game was keenly contested by both teams, though the Thomians had a 6 - 0 lead over the Royalists in the '1st leg'. In the '2nd leg' Shivane Wijeyaratnam, Prashan Perera and Malinda Essankamal scored a goal each for the Thomians and the Royalists also scored 3 goals. The overall score was 9-3 and the Thomian junior team won the R.C.U.A.C. Trophy.

The Chief Guest for the evening was Wilfred Wickramasinghe, who played a leading role in starting the series in 1992.

S.T.C. Under 19 Team comprised: Thanura Abeywardena (Capt), Rajeevan Nagaraja, Lakshitha Kosgodage, Lasitha Perera, Dhanushka Saram, Dilshan Fernando, Dakshitha Thamanegama, Zaffar Zaainuddin, Dilan Perera, Dhanushka Gunaratne, Chaminda Samaraweera, Rajitha Yasaratne and Tharindra Kulasinghe. Coach: Nawaff Mubarak.

S.T.C. Under 15 Team comprised: Jaindu Goonawardena (Capt), Shivane Wijeratnam, Prashan Perera, Malinda Essankamal, Shakthi Warnapura, Saliya De Silva, Dharith De Silva, Eshan Fernando, Romesh Fernando, Dinuk Wijewardena, Keerthivasam Kandasamy, Mahiru Abeysekera and Manjith Thamanegama. Coach: Gihan De Chickera.

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