Waterpolo: S. Thomas' overcome Royal scare to win 1st Leg of Hayman Trophy

S. Thomas' College will live contently with a one goal advantage until next weekend after recording a somewhat exciting 9-8 win against Royal College in the First Leg of the 25th Dr. R.L. Hayman Trophy Water Polo encounter played at the Sugathadasa Swimming Complex on Saturday (1) evening. 

The Thomians however will come under tremendous pressure when they take on the Royalists next Saturday at the Second Leg as they would definitely fine-tune yesterday's floppy display, despite emerging winners. 

If they manage to overcome the improved Royal outfit with a win or a draw, S. Thomas' will carry the trophy for the fourth consecutive year. 

However a Royal resurgence is inevitable, looking at how they took off, succumbed to pressure and then bounced back to give their traditional rivals an unexpected tingle. 

Standing out for the Thomians were Ashen Francis, Sachitha Jayathilake, Isuru Kahandawala and Shanaka Molligoda, who were threatening yet were challenged well by the Royalists. 

The Thomian custodian Dipil Kumarasinghe. 

For Royal Basith Yaqoob stood out from the rest with some scintillating attacks. 

It was Royal who took things under control when they scored two back-to-back goals to take the lead but before the first quarter ended the Thomians struck twice to equalize. 

The Thomians were more dominant in the second quarter as they went on the attack to pummel Royal with four quick goals but a last minute response from their opponents ended the half time at 6-3 in favour of the eventual winners. 

Royal made their intentions clear with two strikes in the third quarter without leaving the Thomians any room to score and trailed 5-6 at the end. 

After giving the Thomians an unexpected fear of defeat, Royal continued their attack until unforced errors turned tables on them. 

The Thomians, making use of the opportunity scored twice but Royal fought back with two goals. 

With minutes to go before the final whistle the Thomians held on to a slender 8-7 lead and another in the dying stages gave them some relieve. 

But Royal struck back seconds before the game ended with another goal to end the game 9-8 in favour of the Thomians. 

The Second Leg of the annual encounter will be played next Saturday (8).