DR. R.L.HAYMAN'S ROYAL THOMIAN WATER POLO ENCOUNTER 2nd LEG
5 years after the S.Thomas' College Trophy Cabinet last saw the Dr.R.L.Hayman's Trophy, it returns after STC won the annual Royal Thomian Water Polo Encounter played for the Dr.R.L.Hayman's Trophy. The 2nd Leg of the 2 part encounter was held on the 30th of October 2010 at the Police Pool Narahenpitiya from 5.15pm onwards.
The days events actually started at 3.30pm when the Under 15 game was played. Royal College who won the 1st leg of the U15 game, eventually went on to lead the game in the 2nd Leg and emerged victorious with an overall score of 17 points to 11 points.
With the junior game finishing, the situation in the pool started to heat up with fans and supporters of both schools flocking in numbers to the pool to watch the match. Thomians coming in hope to witness a victory after a lapse of 5 years while Royalist coming in hope to see a great come back and win the encounter.
After the formalities were over, the game began. The game was probably one of the loudest in the history with a "Thora Paara" or a "Royal Paara" or some other cheer or jeer going off every few seconds from the crowds.
The Thomians continued with their excellent form shown in the 1st Leg of the encounter by scoring the first goal of the game. Thomian Skipper Chanuka Perera who scored the most number of goals in the 1st Leg, scored his 1st goal of the 2nd leg and the 4th goal of the encounter thus giving the Thomians a 2 point lead on the overall score card and a 1 point lead on the 2nd leg score card.
Thomian Goalie Arjun De Alwis was exceptional at this point as he defeated every scoring try that Royal made and thus ending the 1st quarter with the Thomians leading 1 - nil in the game and 8 points to 6 in the encounter.
The second quarter of the game started with both teams determined to continue the scoring and increase their lead. Although the Thomian defense was exceptional with every scording chance being defeated, the Royalists finally made a breakthrough in the 2nd Quarter to reduce their deficiency by 1 point. The 2nd Quarter ended with the game scores being leveled at 1 point each and the STC still leading the encounter with 8 points to 7 points.
The 3rd quarter started with big expectations from both the teams. Supporters of both teams were exited at every point a goal was about to be scored but sadly both the teams failed to score in the 3rd quarter. It must be said that the Thomians played more of a defensive game than an attacking game and were successful at it as they denied the Royalists any goals by defeating every try. The 3rd Quarter ended with scores being the same as at the end of the 2nd Quarter and also STC leading the encounter by 1 point.
With the 4th Quarter starting, it was a matter of life and death for the players concerned as both sides very close to winnings and a single mistake could upset that state. The Thomians continued their defensive stratergy with trying to score occationally. The Royalists continued with their attacking strategy but was denied of any goals by the exceptional defense by the Thomians and the Goalie.
The Thomian camp errupted with cheers as the Thomians were leading the score card with 8 points to 7 points when the refrees declared full time. It was celebration all around the Thomian supporters camp with "Thora Paara's" and other Cheer's being shouted at the loudest possible voice. The Dr.R.L.Hayman Trophy was back in the hands of the Thomians after lapse of 5 years. The Thomians last won the Dr.R.L.Hayman Trophy in the year 2004. The Thomians also have the record for the longest winning streak of the Encounter which is 7 years in a row from 1992 till 1998.
The presentation ceremony was held shortly afterwards the end of the encounter. The event was graced by the Thomian Skipper of 1969-1970 Dr.B.G.S.De Silva. The Most Valuable Player award of the Encounter was awarded to Thomian Goal Keeper Arjun De Alwis for his valuable contribution in preventing the Royalists from scoring goals.
| SCORECARD |
| QUARTER |
|
RC |
STC |
SCORECARD |
| 1st |
|
0 |
1 |
0 : 1 |
| 2nd |
|
1 |
0 |
1 : 1 |
| 3rd |
|
0 |
0 |
1 : 1 |
| 4th |
|
0 |
0 |
1 : 1 |
| |
|
|
|
|
| 1st LEG |
|
6 |
7 |
6 : 7 |
| |
|
|
|
|
| TOTAL |
|
7 |
8 |
|
