Battle of the Blues in water polo:

Royal out for sixth successive win over S. Thomas’

Royal College will go all out to register their sixth successive win in the series when they take on their traditional rivals S. Thomas’ in their annual water polo encounter for the Dr. R.L. Hayman Trophy.

The first leg match will be played at the Police Sports Complex pool on Tuesday (26) with the return leg scheduled for Saturday (30) at the same venue.

Royal has been dominating the series, winning the title for the past five years.

Royal have also won the National championship since 2005, except in 2007 when they went down to MAS Group team consisting of past senior players, in a thriller.

Water Polo emphasizes on speed, endurance, muscle, strategy and accuracy in the pool.

It is said that a water polo player should possess the toughness of a rugby player, endurance of a marathon runner, strategy of a chess player, accuracy of a ball pitcher.

The Reid Avenue boys will have the advantage of having top swimmers with top level fitness.

But the Thomians would make every endeavour to make their presence felt, especially at a crucial encounter as this against their traditional rivals. The Thomians will fire all cylinders to take the Dr. R.L. Hayman Trophy, which eluded them for the last five years, back to Mount Lavinia. But they will face a gigantic task against a far superior Royal side.

As expected the match will be fiercely contested but played in the best spirit and goodwill in keeping with the traditions both schools have maintained over a century.

Royal College will be led by fourth-year coloursman, Shehan Dassanayake who is also a rugby player and a swimmer. He will be assisted by third-year coloursman and national swimmer, Althaf Yakoob.

Royal team will comprise ten experienced coloursmen and going by the team experience the game heavily tilts towards the Royal camp.

Of the previous meetings between the two teams, the Thomians take the lead with 11 wins.

Royal team is coached by Aloka Prelis who has a record of four Hayman wins to his credit and the game changed for Royalists with his arrival.

The Thomians will be captained by ex-national player Chanuka Perera and assisted by Norwich Paranawithana. They have seven coloursmen and two national players. S. Thomas’ team is coached by Roshan Ranasinghe.

Two international referees nominated by FINA will officiate both the encounters.

Under-15 fixtures for the Mahinda Liyanage Trophy will be played on the same day. In the Royal-Thomian Junior Water Polo series now in its tenth year, Royalists take the lead with five wins while S. Thomas’ have registered four.