Island Life Magazine Ltd October/November 2008 | Page 28

life

OUT & ABOUT

DE SILVA ROLLS BACK
THE YEARS AS LASHINGS
GAIN REVENGE!
One of the Island’s most
popular sporting events
attracted a record crowd
of 1,500 to the unique
setting of Ventnor’s Steephill
bowl as the cricketing
stars of Lashings World
XI paid their annual visit.
Compere Graham Benson
welcomed a packed
Corporate Hospitality
Marquee and match
Sponsor HTP as the
day got underway. The
marvellous singing voice
of Henry Olonga was the
precursor to an afternoon
of great entertainment on
the pitch as the Lashings
World XI batted first,
looking to avenge last
year’s shock defeat.
Spectators were treated
to a masterpiece of an
innings of 121 as Aravinda
de Silva took centre stage.
The legendary Sri Lankan
struck 13 fours and 2
sixes in his 85 ball knock,
and with Zimbabwean
Brendan Taylor hitting
67 and fellow Sri Lankan
Marvan Atapattu 50 not

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out, the visitors amassed
255-4 from their 35 overs.
As Ventnor replied, Ian
Hilsum (18) and Ben
Woodhouse (32) took
the score to 60 before
both departed in quick
succession. Neil Westhorpe
(27) eased the total
past three three figures
before Nilesh Kulkarni
took charge. The Indian
Test match spinner took
5-24 as the home side
slipped to 180 all out,
Phil Baldwin top scoring
with an excellent 40.
Scott Charlton of Lashings
thanked HTP for their
match sponsorship, Red
Funnel for providing travel
across the Solent for the
Lashings party and the
spectators for creating
such a great atmosphere
around the ground!
Rachael Fidler, on
behalf of HTP, presented
champagne to men of
the match Aravinda de
Silva and Phil Baldwin.

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