Royal, Vishaka dominate at water polo in RCUAC Challenge Shield

The victorious Under 15 Royal College and Visakha Vidyalaya teams (Photo credit: Brian Dharmasena/ThePapare)

Host Royal College dominated the RCUAC Challenge Shield, winning all Under -11, Under- 13, and Under- 15 water polo finals when the second edition was held at the Royal College pool complex last week. 

Royal defeated Nalanda by 8 goals to 3 in Under- 11 age group, won against neighbour Thurstan College by 7 goals to 3 in Under- 13, while outclassed arch rivals St. Thomas College, Mount Lavinia by 13-4 in the Under-15 category.

The host did not enter a team in the Under -17 age group, in which Nalanda College defeated Colombo International School by 7 goals to 1. 

In the girls’ category, Visakha Vidyalaya in the Under -13, Under- 15, and Under- 18 age groups.  Visakha Vidyalaya beat Ladies College to be crowned champions in the Under- 18 girls category which was dominated by the Blue and Yellows. Coach Sachitha Jayathilaka’s Bishops College showed a lot of promise for the future by winning Runners up in the Girls Under -15 category, overcoming Ladies College in a thrilling match, with improved performance. 

The RCUAC introduced the tournament for Under -13 and Under -11 age groups this year to promote the game among a younger generation. 

The final game of the day was between the over 35 Royal College Masters and St. Thomas’ College Masters team, reliving good old memories of the arch rivals who had been involved in the annual Hayman Trophy since early 1990s. 

The second edition of Sri Lanka’s only tournament organised by a school aquatic club witnessed 25 water polo teams from 11 leading schools under different age groups. 

Initiated by the Royal College Union Aquatic Club (RCUAC), the tournament was organised under the theme, “For the Love of the Game”. The tournament, sanctioned by the Sri Lanka Aquatic Sports Union, was officiated by its elite panel of referees and judges, to ensure the games flowed with fairness. The shot clock was used for the games in keeping with international standards.  Chairman of the Organising Committee Kavindra Samaraweera and Tournament Director Shan Lakshitha of the RCUAC with their team brought back the excellent water polo carnival atmosphere to the Reid Avenue School with the tournament supported by the Royal College Batch of 2003,

The event was backed by Royal College Union, Board of Management for the Royal College Pool, School Development Society, Nestle Lanka, Bairaha Farms PLC, Munchi PLC, Jetwing Hotels, and Taj Bentota Resort and Spa, Chaiwala Colombo, Alerics Ice creams, Glyco candy, Cake Box, Food Company, Athlete unleashed, Fitness Formula, Premadasa Riding School and Extreme Gravel. Media Partners TNL Now, Thepapare.com, Quadrangle, MURC Live, Good News Lanka, and Shutter K1000.

 Results:

Under- 11 Boys:

•  Final – Royal College defeated Nalanda College by 8 goals to 3.
•  Highest goal scorer: Yahiya Farhan (Royal College).

 Under- 13 Boys:

•  Final – Royal College beat Thurstan College by 7 goals to 3.
•  Highest goal scorer: T. Liyanage and A. Kareem with 2 goals each (Royal College).

 Under -13 Girls:

•  Final – Visakha Vidyalaya beat Gateway College by 7 goals to 1.
•  Highest goal scorer: V. De Silva (Visakha Vidyalaya).

 Under -15 Boys:

•  Final – Royal College defeated S. Thomas’ College by 13 goals to 4 goals.
•  The highest goal scorers in the final: Lithum Karunasena and 

Sulaimaan Shihar with 4 goals each (Royal College).

•  Best Player: Dinal Wellappili (Royal College).

 Under -15 Girls:

•  League Format Deciding Match – Visakha Vidyalaya beat Bishops College in their deciding match 7 goals to 4. The league format also involved Ladies College.
•  Best Player: Ranudi Weerawardhane (Visakha Vidyalaya).

 Under -17 Boys:

•  Final – Nalanda College beat Colombo International School by 7 goals to 1.
•  Best Player: Pansilu Jayamanne (Nalanda College).

 Under -18 Girls:

•  League Format Deciding Match – Visakha Vidyalaya beat Ladies College in their deciding match by 9 goals to 3. The league format also involved Bishops College.
• Best Player: Thiyumi Gunawardena (Visakha Vidyalaya).