final post on this and I suppose the thread can go.
cutting engine works, and right away - I can confirm that now. I was against MikeD in his spit8 today and needed a little more vertical separation before I could make my next move. flaps out, steep climb, low e and the plane slipped back into the stall (it is very noticeable - the stalling ends and you drift back and flip over). I cut power and the nose came right around right away. Of course on the downswing I had to make a break and try to create new separation, but I lived.
cheers again for trick.