The mildy friendly start means that, for the moment, Tories will bury their doubts about Bercow even though he secured barely a handful of votes from their benches.
The 2009 season was miserable, with just nine points scored in nine races, and though he secured two wins later in the year, he was never in the title hunt.
This time, though, he has secured an all-too-easy theme of medieval knights, interpreting their ornament and armor with quilted black leather, ruched silk jumpers and miniskirts, and embroidered cashmere tops.
He secured, though only temporarily, a Whitehall exception to work permit rules, allowing "fresh talent" - those graduating from Scottish universities - to remain for a short period in Scotland to get work experience.
And when they finally ended, Umenyiora repeatedly said he had no regrets, even though he ultimately secured little in terms of money.
Though he never secured the favour of Louis XIV, La Fontaine had many well-wishers close to the throne and among the nobility.
Even though he has secured a ceasefire with the separatist guerrillas in Aceh, and a trial has taken place of troops involved in a massacre there last year (see article ), many Acehnese said this week that the sentences were too light.
And though he has secured the endorsement of an impressive group of Republicans, business leaders and scholars, the public does not like the plan, and several Democrats have said they oppose it, too.
He was reportedly denied entry into the UK last month, even though he'd secured a work permit, was scheduled for a series of magazine shoots, and had permission from his parole officer to travel.
Hadley held the door at Marotta's antique shop, walked in last, as he insisted on doing everywhere, greeted Marotta socially, as though they were guests at a party, and then got to the point, surveying the spare, elegant display as though he were securing it for a state visit.
The diminutive Leadbeater – who missed two catches in the unfamiliar position at slip (he was a fine outfielder) and who also had the misfortune to pull a thigh muscle – tended to pitch too short during his 48 overs in the two Tests, though he did secure the prize wicket of Polly Umrigar in the first and Vinoo Mankad in the second, when he also pocketed two catches.
