Royal gain early 13-9 lead in R.L. Hayman Trophy duel
Royal College secured a comfortable 13-9 win against traditional rivals S. Thomas’ College in the first leg of the 31st Dr. R.L. Hayman Trophy, played at the Sugathadasa Stadium Swimming Pool Complex yesterday. Royal led slightly at halftime, 6-5.
The match began with S. Thomas’ skipper Thalib Mansoor scoring the first goal. Anuga Handunpathirana equalised for Royal, but the Thomians retaliated in quick sessions to gain two-goal advantage and finish the first quarter 3-1.
Royal started the second quarter strong, with Lithum Karunasena scoring to reduce the gap to 2-3. Arith Salgado was instrumental for the Thomians, netting all their three goals in the quarter. Royal captain Mihin Wanigasekara then scored an equaliser, making it 3-3. Royal gained the lead for the first time when Bihandu Katugampola scored, putting them ahead 4-3.
S. Thomas’ responded with a goal from Nehemiah Krishnaswami, but Dinal Wellappili quickly extended Royal’s lead to 6-4. Krishnaswami scored again for the Thomians, bringing the score to 5-6 as the first half ended with Royal leading 6-5.
In the second half, Thomian Shehran Nawaz won the swim-off, allowing Athesha Senticumarana to score and equalise at 6-6. However, Thalal Bary quickly restored Royal’s lead with a bounced goal, making it 7-6. Wellappili then completed his hat-trick, increasing the Royal lead to 8-6. Mansoor responded for the Thomians, narrowing the score to 7-8.
Dimithri Liyanage extended Royal’s lead to 9-7 with a powerful shot, and Wellappili scored again, bringing the score to 10-7. Despite a strong effort from Thomian captain Mansoor, who scored in the final moments of the third quarter, Royal led 10-8 at the end of the third.
In the fourth quarter, S. Thomas’ won the swim-off, but Liyanage increased Royal’s lead to 11-8. Wanigasekara then scored again to further extend Royal’s lead to 12-8. Nawaz finally found the net for S. Thomas’, reducing the gap to 9-12. However, Liyanage’s impressive play helped Royal score their final goal, sealing the victory at 13-9. The two teams will face off again in the second leg of the trophy next Saturday at the same venue.
Last year S. Thomas’ retained the R.L. Hayman Trophy after securing a 21-all draw following both legs, which ended 15-10 in Royal’s favour, followed by a comeback 11-6 win by the Thomians in the second leg. The Thomains have won the trophy 17 times, while Royal have laid their hands on the silverware on nine occasions, with four encounters ending in stalemates.