Royal wins Hayman Trophy

After a two-year wait, Royal College triumphed in the 31st edition of the Dr. R.L. Hayman Trophy, securing a hard-fought aggregate victory of 25-17 over their traditional rivals, S. Thomas’ College. In a thrilling two-leg encounter at the Sugathadasa Stadium Swimming Pool, Royal dominated in both legs to claim the prestigious trophy. The final leg, held on Saturday, ended with Royal winning 12-8, adding to their 13-9 victory in the first leg last week.

Led by their determined captain Mihin Wanigasekara, Royal College displayed their supremacy in all aspects of the game. Their strong defence, sharp attacks, and well-coordinated team play proved too much for the Thomians. The decisive victory marked Royal’s 10th win in the Hayman Trophy series, narrowing the gap in the overall tally where S. Thomas’ leads with 17 wins. Four matches have ended in draws.

Royal College took early control of the second leg with a powerful display in the first half. Yashantha de Silva opened the scoring with a brilliant play down the left flank, giving Royal an early lead. Royal once had 6-2 lead. S. Thomas’ College, clearly struggling, found it difficult to match Royal’s pace and precision. By halftime, Royal had extended their lead to 7-2, courtesy of another goal from Dimithri Liyanage, putting the Thomians in a difficult position.

In the third quarter, Royal continued their onslaught with quick, successive goals, pushing the score to 9-3. Nehemaih Krishnaswami added to the tally with a superb move, taking the lead to 10-3, as Royal looked well on their way to victory. Royal maintained a firm grip on the game, leading 11-6 at one stage in the fourth quarter.

A spectacular goal from Dimithri Liyanage late in the match sealed the deal for Royal, pushing the score to 12-7. Although S. Thomas’ managed one final goal, reducing the gap to 8-12, it was too late for a comeback. Royal’s consistent and organized play throughout the game earned them a well-deserved victory.

Despite the loss, the Thomians put up a brave fight, especially in the final quarter. Shehran Nawaz of S. Thomas’ made several crucial attempts, but Royal’s defence, led by Lithum Karunasena, held firm. In the end, S. Thomas’ could not overcome the deficit, and Royal’s clinical performance saw them through to the win.

Under-15 Thomians edge out Royal

In the Under-15 encounter for the Mahinda Liyanage Trophy, S. Thomas’ College claimed a narrow victory, edging out Royal College by a single goal in the second leg. The Thomians won the second leg 9-8, following their 16-12 victory in the first leg last week. With an aggregate score of 25-20, the Thomians secured the Mahinda Liyanage Trophy for the 25th edition of the competition.

The Under-15 match was an intense and closely contested affair. S. Thomas’ tactical game management throughout both legs proved decisive. Despite Royal’s valiant efforts, including a strong performance by Ramiru Aluthge, the Thomians’ defence held firm. Dinuk Wickramasinghe played a pivotal role in S. Thomas’ victory, managing the game well and leading his team to a well-earned win.

The statistics from the Under-15 match highlight just how tight the game was. Royal College took 29 shots, while S. Thomas’ had 26, with only a one-goal difference at the final whistle. S. Thomas’ had a shooting percentage of 35%, while Royal’s stood at 28%. The Thomians’ defence was tested with six exclusions compared to Royal’s two, and despite Royal being awarded three penalties, they couldn’t capitalize fully.

The Thomians’ ability to withstand Royal’s pressure and their organized defensive strategy was the key to their victory. The Under-15 encounter had a tactical discipline, with S. Thomas’ emerging victorious by the narrowest of margins.

While Royal College celebrated a much-deserved win in the Dr. R.L. Hayman Trophy, S. Thomas’ College can take pride in their Under-15 team’s victory in the Mahinda Liyanage Trophy. Royal College can bask in the glory of their triumph, while the Thomians will undoubtedly regroup and prepare for the next chapter in this storied rivalry.

 Source:Daily News