Citius, altius, fortius.

Pierre de Coubertin would have known whether la grammaire française dictates that “je suis habillé” requires a reflexive pronoun; a subject of some debate behind the dead ball line last night. He might even have felt a slight affinity with the mangled turn of phrase; his own most famous bon-mots often abruptly sound-bitten into a platitude for losers which ignores the very essence of sportsmanship.

Fortunately, those on the field were not to be distracted by the intricacies of the use of the perfect tense when referring to oneself. That is to be commended. Also to be commended were the catching of fly balls and backing up in the outfield, the stopping of the lead runner, the safe and solid hitting, the pushing round of the runners, the consistent pitching and above all taking our chances and holding our nerve. Not to mention the aplomb with which the customary 6th inning wobble was despatched.

To quote Monsieur de Coubertin in full (but in English) "It is less important to win than to take part; the essential thing in life is not conquering but fighting well”. Last week we played a good game and we lost knowing that we can play better and didn’t.

This week we played a better game and won. Even if we hadn’t, it would have been a performance of which to be proud. Individual performances aside, as a team we were mighty, and that doesn’t just refer to those on the field.

We have three games left this season. We’ve shown that on a good day we can beat the team ranked 3rd in the division. More importantly, we’ve demonstrated what we all know, that we are capable of playing like a 3rd division team.

I’m going to stop now. But before I do, the Panthers should get a mention for their sportsmanlike behaviour and their tenacity in a pub which earned them a draw in the drinking.