In a tale as old as time, the 3s went away, Fahad won the toss, they didn’t put enough runs on the board, but it didn’t matter as the bowlers came up trumps for the win.

A scorching Saturday morning set the tone for the 3s trekking down to Addington Village and the home of one of the oldest cricket clubs in the country. With Fahad’s message about arriving on time ringing in their ears, the first members of the team strolled in 5 mins late, the skipper 10 mins after and Umer midway through the third over. Saving his energy for later.

Fahad won the toss and we batted. Predictions around the pitch pre game were borne out - familiar views of “front foot track” and “no loose shots” were the signs of experienced team. Unfortunately both openers got out to a loose shot, multiple LBW and bowleds in the middle order playing back foot. Easy game on paper is cricket.

Resistance came from Tom, but most of the middle order took Fahads decree that 120 was enough - scoring their personal contribution of 12 to that and then getting themselves out. Soon enough we were 82-7. Not a great look when you’ve only got 10 players.

Fortunately in strolled Umer. His tardiness meant he had missed all the concerns about the pitch pre game. He played his first ball without any of those doubts in his mind. 6 over long off. From there him and Yas stabled the ship guiding us to 137-9, allowing the skipper to call us in. 17 runs more than Fahad thought we needed, but in truth far short of par.

Tea was decent enough, with some jam doughnuts worrying the skipper as he watched his bowling attack tuck in.

He needn’t have worried. Umer and Mo came out firing. Umer turned his man of the match batting mentality to his bowling - pace, bounce and movement. Undeterred by a pitch that seemed to mean all LBW shouts were going down the leg, our openers had them 31-3.

From there Addiscombe rebuilt despite some tight work from Sarfraz and Yas. When Yas struck twice momentum swung back towards Roehampton. From 87-4, addiscombe were suddenly 97-6 but still swinging hard. With not many on the board, the mood was with the 3s but it was a bit tight for comfort. Discipline was the order of the day - so the skipper turned down overtures from his opening pair to bring himself back for his final over.

A sharp run out from Sarfraz, then two cleaned bowled meant that the last four wickets had fallen for two runs. Victory was wrapped up and the 3s train moved on to the next station, with increased confidence having defended 137 with 10 men.

Strong performances all round from the bowling unit, ably backed up in the field. A top result to add to a historic day at roehampton.