What year is it?

Convinced his D side were at home, team captain Geoff Verge, who was working to last season’s fixture list, was surprised when the club’s other team arrived.

By coincidence, the C side had travelled to Salterns in the second round in 2010/11. They rang and cancelled as they’d had a beer.

Meanwhile, the team they were actually playing turned up.

Verge admitted: “It was a right cock-up.”

Meanwhile, teammate Dave Bannister was devastated when he opened the Daily Echo.

The 47-year-old had compiled a 53 break, his highest since a 62 at Botley Institute six years ago.

“I was made up with that,” he said. “But then I found out someone from Romsey Comrades had knocked in a 63 on the same night.

“I saw it in the paper the following week.”

The only team member not to have worked at Aerostructures insists he never knows what’s going to happen when he gets on the table.

Steve Smirk, 38, who started his league career with Vosper Thornycroft, said: “When you only pick up a cue once a week, you can’t expect to play well.

“We went over to Shirley Cons a couple of weeks ago. I could not pot a ball. Next week, down here, I knocked in a 46. I never know what’s going to happen.”

Readers who submit articles must agree to our terms of use. The content is the sole responsibility of the contributor and is unmoderated. But we will react if anything that breaks the rules comes to our attention. If you wish to complain about this article, contact us here