The omens were good. This was the ground where on the first game of the previous season Griff and Hughie became partners, off the field as well as on. During that game Hughie stepped in to salvage Griff's suicidal sweeper strategy leaving him to harmlessly roam upfield in the second half. End result a well earned draw and a new tenant - not a bad day's work !

So would the same good fortune continue chez les chenois en 2009 ? Reflecting back to when they visited us at Rosières in the autumn did not help instill much self belief - memories of that wee fat centre forward they called 'la machine à buts' who scored 2 at the expense of "sweeper" Kenny Francey in the space of 10 minutes. But this time WOULD be different - instead of giving them 2 goals in central defence we gave them not 1 but 2 scots bent on a mission.

On the muddiest pitch of the season so far the line up taking to the field was Reynolds, Maza, Hughie, Scott, Alex, Pete Brown, Chris Finch, Dermot, Samy, Ian the welshman back on a visit and Weaver with Bruce and Brian on the bench.

Things didn't start too as the wee fat centre forward dumped Hughie to the ground in the first minute as the latter tried to set sights on who to mark. Well he soon found him and from that moment onwards the wee "getting bigger" fat centre forward did not get a look in. With Scott marshalling behind, the new makeshift central defensive pair (brought together in the absence of the injured Kevin Hyde) soon developed the perfect understanding and we started to look very comfortable.

This provided a good base for the coming offensive onslaught by RBBFC with a good number of forrays up the right flank in particular. The inevitable breakthrough did not take long. Leading the way like a real captain should Pete Brown opened the scoring with a "Torres-like" header from an impossible 2 yard angle. There were some suggestions of own goal as it did rocket-in of a defender at the far post - but he was really just unfortuate to get in the way - definitely not an own goal.

A little later the visiting Maybury made it 2 from close range after earlier getting his "once a game long range shot yes I know I should have passed" effort out of his system.

At this stage the boys were cruising - until of course the ref decided that the home team needed a little help. A penalty awarded cos their winger decied to fall over Alex ! Quel injustice arbitre !

After half time came the inevitable Alamo but the boys efficiently absorbed and mopped up everything thrown at them. The midfield of Samy, Dermot and Chris had to work hard to complement the sterling efforts of all in defence. Simon and Ian continued to give us respite with their constant chasing up front. Simon came over to give a run out to Bruce and Samy did likewise for Brian and Colin had to make a few good stops and catches to keep things afloat.

Towards the end Hughie was yellow carded for telling the ref he was corrupt upon over-hearing the wee fat centre forward whisper to "his pal" the ref to add on plenty extra time - a request which received a solid affirmative nod. "Autant lui payer une bière en même temps arbitre ! " , suggested Hughie for which he got the inevitable immediate yellow.

Tense moments followed, right up to the last minute, when that "wee - er now" fat centre forward ghosted in past Hughie at the far post only to miss from close range. Hughie took great pleasure in helping him up from the floor with the words " Quel dommage - ça c'était vraiment tout près " ....with the subtelest of smiles !

Man of the match votes were shared among the central defence with 8 to Scott who had a great game and 5 to Hughie who destroyed any prospect of a good weekend for that WEE FAT HORRIBLE CENTRE FORWARD.

A sweet victory, in itself meriting of a wine tasting.

" Not to worry Kevin ( NDL ) added Pete Brown in the bar ....Hughie can play always anywhere.....but I do like him in your position ! "

The wine-tasting "bar" after this win was re-set at 24 points.