A dry but windy Ballymacarn played host to a most entertaining fixture between Hinch 4's and a strong Armagh 2's on Saturday past. Fitness levels proved to be a decisive factor betwen the two sides when the visitors edged past Stevie Burke's side in the closing minutes.

Playing with the wind at their tails, the well organised Armagh side opened the scoring around the 12 minute mark landing a penalty that had been awarded in front of the posts between the 22 and 10metre lines after a Hinch forward was deemed to have entered the ruck through the side.

The fixture was keenly contested for the remainder of the half, with the pestering Hinch defence continually frustrating the visitor's attempts to bring shape to their game. The back row of Toby Mannus, Matthew Sunnerton and Number 8 Joe and centre John Adair were particuarly effective at both slowing and stealing ball, something that caused visible frustration to Armagh.

Both teams did add to their scoreline before the end of the half with Armagh crossing the line twice running wide balls and Hinch once through some bedazzling feetwork from winger George Tessie who took on three men and left them grabbing at air. Armagh added the conversion to one of their scores leaving Hinch 15 - 5 down at the half.

Going into the second half Hinch had much reason to be confident given the strength of the wind and their fighting first half performance. Momentum did begin to swing their way with some effective kicking and some solid defensive work keeping the visitors pinned in their half. The Hinch pack also came to life with some great carries and continuity work. Old faithful Chris Armstrong was never too far away from the action as play went forward!

The Hinch pressure soon led to points. Winger Tessie again worked magic again using his evasive feetwork to cut through the well organised Armagh defence. The try scorer missed the conversion but did add the extras for the next Hinch try which also took them into the lead for the first time. The second of these tries came after a period of sustained attack by both the Hinch forwards and backs when Figian out half Sam found space to accelerate before barging his way over the line in between the posts.

With about 17 minutes left in the game Hinch had the task of defending their lead and ideally adding to it. They continued to play most of the game in the Armagh half but did show character in defence on a few occasions when Armagh found their way closer to the Hinch line. With about 7 or 8 minutes to go it appeared Hinch were on top and just had to hold onto their lead to the close. However, some sharp thinking by the Armagh attack put paid to such efforts when a quick tap at a penalty in the Armagh half caught the tiring Hinch side unawares and left them scrambling in defence to no avail. Armagh crossed the line and added the conversion leaving Hinch trailing by 5 points.

For the final 5 minutes Hinch did maintain their pressure and played most of the rugby in the Armagh half but a number of handling errors from some exhausted players denied them the opportunities they needed to win the game.

Armagh were elated with their win knowing that they had regained their lead against the run of play and having been seriously challenged by a less organised and less fit side. Hinch were disapointed with the result but will take plenty of postives from their play knowing that with a little more organisation and fitness results will soon follow.