Royal regains T N Fernando Trophy with a score of 48-4.

24.10.2015. It was an evening of  excitement at the Colombo Rowing Club as the most awaited rowing encounter for the year was about to kick off. The cloudy skies forecasting some rainy weather had no impact on the overly enthusiastic cheering by fans of both schools.

The first race for the evening soon began with Royal College’s Hashen Hettigoda securing a clear win at the Senior Scull race. The Junior Scull rowed by Hashen Weerakkody ensued with the same result raising the score to 8-0 in favour of Royal College.

The Thomians made their first breakthrough in the following race, with Suranga and Senal clenching on to a close win at the Junior Pair. With the tables beginning to turn around, the weather too made its own unfavourable twist halting play and forcing the next oarsmen to return minutes after entering the waters.

With no signs of the rain or heavy winds giving way, the next race began. The Royalists were quick to strike back as Sajid and Praveen secured another victory after one intense Senior Pair; score stood at 16-4.

Next in line was the Senior Double Scull with Hashen Hettigoda returning to the oars once again beside Pramod Rajaguru. A comfortable win for the Royalists with a lead of a few lengths was marked revitalizing the sturdy yells of the fans in blue and gold. Another victory for Royal followed with Lasaru and Kaveen dominating the Junior Double Scull; thus collecting 28 points against the Thomians’ 4, Royal College secured victory at the Regatta after a lapse of 3 years.

The delay due to weather meant darkness spreading in with the three fours still on schedule. The Junior B-Four set off soon amidst much cheer securing yet another victory for Royal. The Junior Four ensued keep that winning streak intact. Soon it was time for the coveted A-Four, more famously known as the Boat Race.

Amidst an uproar of cheer and yells from the over-joyous crowds of fans, the team made their way to the water for the evening’s final race. With the last rays of evening sunshine having departed some time before, the race set off with the crowds struggling to locate their team on the dark waters. The Thomians did not seem to be put off at all despite the score of 36-4 as each set of fans made their attempt to drown out the other in cheer. The boats neared the finishing line, with Royal making taking the lead and thus securing the Boat Race Trophy and ending the day on a high.

With a score of 48-4, and having secured the highest number of trophies at a Royal Thomian Regatta, the victorious Royal side made their way to the water in joy and cheer.

Thus the 46th annual Royal Thomian Regatta concluded with Royal College regaining the prestigious T N Fernando Trophy.

Senior Scull- Hashen Hettigoda

Junior Scull –Hashen Weerakkody

Senior Pair –Sajid Ajmal, Praveen Hapugalle

Junior Pair – Kavinda Mathew, Dehan Atapattu

Senior Double Scull- Promod Rajaguuru, Hashen Hettigoda

Junior Double Scull –Lasaru Kudaligama, Kaveen Rajapaksha

Junior Four – Lasaru kudaligama, Kaveen Rajapaksha, Praveen Weerakody, Thimesha Amaresena, Avishka Jayaweera

Senior Four –Praveen Hapugalle, Prathap Perera, Amrith Fernando, Sajid Ajmal, Kaveen Rajapaksha