Written by Kosala Wickramanayake
Thursday, 27 May 2010 18:09
Royal College, Colombo won their first title after beating their traditional rivals S. Thomas’, Mount Lavinia with an overall score of 1272 to 1157 respectively, thus winning the Creon Corea Memorial Shield for the 2nd Annual Royal Thomian Swimming Championship 2010 by a margin of 115 points, the swim meet was held late last evening at the Royal College Swimming Pool at Reid Avenue.
After taking Day 1 on Tuesday (25th May), Royal had a slender lead of 21 points against the STC with the scores standing at 702 to 681. The Royalists were looking to stay ahead of the Thomians, who are known for their infamous Thomian Grit and the Royalists weren’t looking to be intimated by it.
The Thomian youngsters won the Under 9 and Under 11 Categories convincingly by beating their young rivals by 209 points to 103 points in the Under 9 age group while winning the Under 11 group with a score of 196 to 116. They managed to win 1st place in all their races in both age groups.
The Royal swimmers won the Under 13 category in a close 237 to 203, while they clearly dominated the Thomians in the Under 15 and Under 17 categories with massive wins of 285 to 155 and 292 to 176 respectively thanks to some hard swimming by the Royalists.
The Under 19 age group was a closely fought with Royal winning 239 to 218 against STC, by a margin of 21 points. It clearly indicates the tough competition between the Royal and Thomian Swimmers in this age group.
The Relays being the most prestigious event in this meet were mostly won by RC in the U-19, U-17, U-15 and U-13 age groups while STC won the U-11 and U-9 relay events.
The old boys relay event was won by the Old Royalists this event garnered much cheers as expected. These Royalists and Thomians still young at heart weren’t looking to give up easily to their age! We are very much sure they had a great time swimming again for their Alma Mater. The winners were awarded the OTSC Challenge Trophy.
Dhanika N. Weerasekera led the Reid Avenue boys to their first win at with the support of acting Vice Captain, Shehan Dassanayake and Coloursman Althaf Yakoob, Dasun Perera, Kanishka Fernando, Kanitha Munasinghe and Harshaka Nissanga and they are in the guidance of former Sri Lankan Olympian, Mr Julian Bolling.
While the Thomians were captained by Enoch Jayasundara, Vice Captain Chanuka Perera and Secretary, Shakith Wickramaratne with the support of Coloursman Norwitch Paranawithana and Devshan de Mel and are coached by Mr. Philip Amarasinghe.
The event was well organized with the races and other proceedings going according to time. The Prize giving was held at College Hall of Royal College.
STC won the inaugural event last year under Darith de Silva.
This year it was Royal Captain, Dhanika Weerasekera who held the Creon Corea Memorial Shield high!
We congratulate both teams on such a keenly contested battle and thank all those who helped to make this article a success.
As shield will make its yearly stay at Reid Avenue, the Thomians will be hoping to get their hands on it next year!
| Age Group | Royal | S. Thomas’ | Winner |
| Under 9 | 103 | 209 | STC |
| Under 11 | 116 | 196 | STC |
| Under 13 | 237 | 203 | RC |
| Under 15 | 285 | 155 | RC |
| Under 17 | 292 | 176 | RC |
| Under 19 | 239 | 218 | RC |
| Total | 1272 | 1157 | RC |
