The return of our friends from Clifton Durban was an eagerly awaited point of the season. The chance to play a long game all day had the boys hoping that the rain on Saturday did not dampen the pitch too much. This was the fifth game against Clifton since 2000 and the score was 2-2 at the start of the game. A gale blew all day making conditions for play difficult but the South Africans rose to the challenge.
They had been unbeaten in SA and were unbeaten on tour in the UK so we knew we were in for a game. Two early wickets gave us hope but their no.4 played the innings of his life. The left hander was not big and powerful but patient, focussed and punished the bad ball, one of which seemed to come every over. They were 90-2 at lunch off 20 overs. An early wicket in the afternoon brought renewed hope to Abberley but the no.5 was also a good bat. He proceeded to put on over 100 for the fourth wicket before both batsmen were retired with the score just over 200. The number 4 made 117 and no.5 50. A flurry of wickets then fell but the Clifton score of 230-6 off 45 overs was a daunting effort.

Abberley made a slow start against tight bowling and were 4-2 off 8 overs at tea. More wickets fell feebly after the break with fundamental flaws mentally and technically being exposed by the excellent South Africans. At 28-9 I was dreading walking off the pitch , embarrassed by our inability to compete. Fortunately Sandy had different ideas and proceeded to smash the ball around in an entertaining cameo of 28. He put on 40 for the last wicket with Arthur to take our score to 68, not respectable but at least we had made them bowl 28 overs at us.

Ultimately they were much better than us in every department and they played very well on the day. They played the game in the right way and were gracious in victory. Probably only Max and Sandy would have got in their team, both of whom deserve credit for their batting and bowling.