Royal retain Water Polo League title

Leslie Fernando

The Royal College Water Polo Team fresh from their win against the Thomians at the Public Schools championships defeated MAS Sports Club by 6 goals to 2. In the final of the SLASU Ellawala League Water Polo Tournament worked off last week. Heading into the final match the Royalists unbeaten in the tournament had to only register a win or a draw to retain to retain the title.

The Royal outfit was out to win and avenge their defeat at the hands of the National Champions; MAS who scraped through to pull off a last minute win at the National Championships last year against Royal College. Royal’s surprise opening move almost paid off when Shehan Dassanayake almost nailed a shot from 10m away which clipped the goal post.

Royal were relentless in their attack and drew first blood when skipper Bilal Hassen thundered the ball into the back of the MAS net. Royal continued their attack and ended the first quarter with a handy lead of 3 goals all scored by Bilal Hassen.

The National champions were not going to call it quits yet as they made a counter attack and brought down the deficit to 2 goals when national cap Lasitha Perera took a quick shot off the win.

Unfortunately for MAS their troubles got worse when Lasitha Perera was thrown out of the game for allegedly unruly behaviour in the game towards the players and referees.

Royal went into the 3rd quarter looking to extend their lead and did exactly that when Yahan Samarajeewa broke away from the pack and made a close range shot where the MAS goalie Zaffer Zainudeen had no chance of stopping it.

MAS came back with one more goal which was their last goal in the game after which Royal scored their fifth goal from an extra man situation when Sajeewa Wickremasinghe took a splendidly time round arm shot off the right bar.

The final goal was scored by Shehan Dassanayake who took a power shot off the bar that bounced into the goal and left the defender and goalie gasping in despair.

For Royal Awnee Razzak was in splendid form making it virtually impossible to penetrate the Royal Goal. Fresher and reserve goalie Dimuth Karunaratne who took guard of the Royal Goal in the final quarter continued the good work and was impeccable in his position as well.

With the win Royal have won three consecutive tournaments and remain undefeated this year and have won against all clubs and schools.

Ladies College won the Girls Segment of the League with a one-all draw against Visakha in their last match.