So, after a week of rain the main pitch was deemed unplayable, as it resembled a dish of porridge with green fuzz on it.
That added to the pre-match tension as the word on the street was that Hinch were boosted by a liberal sprinkling from the Ulster Academy. Given that their back line had caused us issues in the earlier fixture, the thought of a boosted back line flying on the 4G was causing worried glances among the home supporters.
The visitors opened brightly and were challenging Tarf out wide with some mazy running, good angles and fast hands.
Their first try had a touch of good fortune about it, as the home drifting defence looked to have been illegally blocked by a hit on Hugh Cooney. Nevertheless, Hinch were worth their lead, as they had started brightly enough to trigger a sideline debate about the decision to play on the 4G. Why not on the slop? ….. slow them up ….. maybe Dollymount beach?
The following play showed why worrying about the opposition can be wasted emotion. Tarf kicked long, Hinch found touch, and from the resulting line-out Tarf went through 9 phases, 29 passes and scored as good a try as I’ve seen in years. The final touchdown went to Ru Byron, who celebrated his return to the side with a ferocious, energetic 80+ minutes.
Hinch grabbed another after defensive hesitation left a gap in the centre. Tarf levelled again at 14 14 when, after frantic defence Hinch looked to have raised the siege with a long downfield kick which, too their dismay, landed in the arms of Noah Sheridan, whose game is growing by the week. Noah did what Noah does and headed off on one of those slaloming runs which brought play right back to the Hinch line. I mean, we’re talking dancing with the stars here! Tarf celebrated his magnificent run by scoring the equaliser and a score of 14 14 at half time.
In the second half the home defence got on top and Hinch started shipping some enormous hits. Walloper-in-chief was JJ O’Dea who was a complete nuisance to the opposition and was backed up by the other two bash brothers , Ryan and Byron. As the defence started to dominate Tarf began to punish with phases also. Phases earn penalties and Con Kelly took full advantage with a peerless display of line kicking to go with 100% off the tee. Towards the end of the third quarter Tarf earned a lineout at the Hinch line and after an enormous surge from Ru Byron, Con Kelly spotted the narrow defence and found Noah Sheridan with a pinpoint cross kick for 21 14.
Hinch replied with a penalty kick for 21 17 which was to be as close as they got in the half. Con kicked off, Noah got a block on the touch kick, the ball was fumbled and Hinch lost concentration and conceded a pen for offside which Dylan Donnellan tapped quickly and scored to take it to 28 17.
Minutes later Con added a penalty for 31 17 and the game was slipping away from the visitors. To their credit they upped the pace in pursuit of redemption, but fatigue was setting in and with that came errors in the face of a confident defence. Sam Owens snapped up a loose pass and flew under the posts for 38 17. Hinch got a consolation try for their sterling efforts and the final act was an interception from Matt Darcy who, to his shock and amazement, was forced to break into a gentle trot to make the line. Game ended 45 24 to Tarf. A victory to settle the nerves! Not perfect by any means yet, but plenty to warm the hearts of the supporters.