$1,$2 ... has to match parens, if there is only one set of parens, $2 can NEVER be defined 
'stuff' =~ /(.).../;
print "$1\n";
'stuff' =~ /(.).(.)./;
print "$1 $2\n";
'stuff' =~ /(.).(.).(.)/;
print "$1 $2 $3\n";
__END__

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In reply to Re: regex problem by Anonymous Monk
in thread regex problem by Anonymous Monk

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