Following an exhilarating 1st leg that proved anything could happen, a three goal advantage meant little to the defending champions, as both teams arrived at the Sugathadasa Swimming Pool Complex for the 2nd leg of the 28th annual Dr. R. L. Hayman Water Polo Encounter.

After a delay following a dispute in the rules brought forward by the Thomian camp, both teams took to the water to battle for the coveted trophy, surrounded by a crowd of royalist that had overloaded the stadium and their Thomian rivals.

The Thomian team that had undergone an intensive training program in Malaysia proved to be a mouthful for the defending champions as the game turned into an all out grudge match between two exceptionally skilled teams that were willing put their lives on the line for glory.

Omira Lokuge opened the score card for Royal with a well timed lob. The Thomians were quick to equalize off a rebound by Dirhean Dias. (RC 1-1 STC)

Our Captain Sawinda Dissanayaka overpowered the Thomian defense to find the back of their net, bringing the match back to Royal’s favor. An advantage that was short lived as the opposing captain Manula Wickramarathne, countered with a goal of his own leveling the scores for the persistent thomians. (RC 2-2 STC)

Upon the end of the first quarter the thomian defense was caught napping giving a vital opening for Akther Jaffer to tip the odds in Royals favor by the end of the first 8 minutes.

1st Quarter scores – RC 3 – 2 STC (Aggregate – RC 18 – 13 STC)

The 2nd half saw both teams fortify their defenses as neither side could truly dominate, until Akther Jaffer was gifted an easy goal off an attack by Mishan Kottegodage, extending Royal’s lead. (RC 4-2 STC)

Shevaan Ebenezer replied for the thomians with a goal, keeping the fight alive. Randev David then found his way to the Royal net again, but was unfortunate to have struck only after the referee had blown for halftime, meaning that Royal had maintained their lead by the end of the 2nd quarter.

Half Time scores – RC 4 – 3 STC (Aggregate – RC 18 – 14 STC)

 

Omira Lokuge stepped up once again with a powerful corner shot off a penalty to put Royal back on a 2 goal lead. However, the ever defiant thomains proved their grit with an exceptional goal from their captain to cut down the deficit once again. (RC 5-4 STC) Despite the best of efforts from both sides Royal maintained their one goal lead the 3rd quarter concluded.

3rd Quarter scores – RC 5 – 4 STC (Aggregate – RC 19 – 15 STC)

 

The Royalist’s spirits were high as the taste of victory loomed ever so faintly in the air, with a four goal advantage on aggregate by the start of the final quarter and Akther Jaffer set the crowd ablaze with energy as he proved clinical, once again finding the end of the Thomain goal. Sawinda Dissanayake, then put the cherry on the cake, with an enticing no-look killer backhand on goal, putting the defending champions three up and prompted Head coach Bilal Hassen to make 4 confident changes as the Thomian’s fate was sealed. (RC 7–4 STC)

To their credit S. Thomas’s College did not drown easy, as both Manula Wickramarathne and  Chariya Kurukulusuriya, fought back two goals cutting the deficit by 2. (RC 7–6 STC)

However their efforts proved to be too little too late as Royal College won the game by a goal and Won the 28th Dr. R. L. Hayman Encounter with an aggregate lead of four.

Full Time scores – RC 7 – 6 STC (Aggregate – RC 21 – 17 STC)

 

Akther Jaffer was named The Most Valuable Player for the seven contributions he had made during the encounter as Royal College once again lifted the 28th Dr. R. L. Hayman Trophy having gone undefeated for the 3rd year running.

Despite St. Thomas College’s refusal to participate in the Tennis, Carrom and Chess encounters, this encounter proves that this years Royal-Thomain Season will have just as much tension, drama and glory in the days to come.