The most celebrated water polo rivalry in the schools’ arena between Royal College and S. Thomas’ College was played in the first leg for the Dr. RL Hayman Trophy and Royal won 14-11 at the Sugathadasa Swimming Complex yesterday.
The defending champions Royal finished on top in the end of the fourth quarter and displayed their stronghold performance in the encounter.
The Thomians played a slow game and made lots of passing errors and also lost their cohesion while Royal used their pace well throughout the game. The year 2018 witnessed a magnificent take-over by Royal College after five long years of losing to the school by the sea to take back the coveted trophy.
Currently the Thomians lead the tally with 16 wins while the Royalists have won eight. Three encounters, including the 2017 game, ended in draws.
Royal was coached by Bilal Hassen and S. Thomas by Zafar Zainudeen. The second leg will be played on October 5.