Keeping up with Hull FC speedster Harvey Barron in full flight is no mean feat, but Denive Balmforth did exactly that. Supporting the flying winger to round off a long-range try, Balmforth made the most of a first-half break and his first opportunity since returning to the club following a loan spell at Catalans Dragons, touching down for an eye-catching try in what was an eye-catching performance.
Lining up in the club's 34-2 victory over Warrington Wolves, the 22-year-old started at hooker and was good value. He also assisted a try for Aidan Sezer with a scrumptious long-range pass and, more importantly, was firm with the defensive side of his game. But for a player whose biggest strengths are his attacking velocity, the try certainly brought some satisfaction.
"I'm faster than him, that's why," Balmforth joked to Hull Live when asked how he got on the end of the try. "I reckon I've got him over 40. After 100, I might be blowing a bit.
"But I loved every minute of it. I psyched myself up to play the best I can. I had a bit of a point to prove back at the MKM."
But the greatest satisfaction for Balmforth was arguably on the other side of the game and his defence. Returning to Hull hungry and with a point to prove - he played big minutes but quality minutes, making 26 tackles and, more impressively, missing none.
"I've mentally got myself in a place where I've had to do the tough stuff and be that hooker," he continued. "I know I can do that for a longer period of time now than I probably could have before. It's only beneficial for me.
"Everything has helped; working on my fitness, the club changes, going out on loan and getting that game time - if I wasn't playing and then I was chucked in the deep end to play, I wouldn't have been able to play for as long as I did.
"I just kept turning up and kept moving off the ball - that's something I will keep working on and trying hard to get better at. We rode the wave in the first twenty minutes. They threw a lot at us and we defended pretty well and gave them no tries.
"But for me personally, it was to prove that I can do it and keep turning up defensively. At the end of the day, that is the downside to my game, the defensive side of things, and being a hooker, that's the priority of what you strive to be.
"I think everyone has faults in their game - no one is perfect. Mine are my defensive movements and the technical side of things when I step into contact and I'll openly and honestly say it's not my greatest attribute, but I'll keep trying and I'll get there."
Signing a new three-year deal at the start of the season, Balmforth is in it for the long haul. His sights are set on Hull's hooker spot at a club that's become a home away from home for the Leeds-born dummy half - and he's ready for the fight alongside the likes of Amir Bourouh, Will Hutchinson and co.
"I want to cement my spot in this 17 for the future and long may that continue," Balmforth said. "Hopefully, I can keep performing like that consistently well.
"But the battle is only a good thing; people fighting with you for the spot get the best out of everyone. Amir comes back in this week and anyone can get that 9 shirt, but as long as I'm in that 17, I'm happy.
"I was in from the start this year. I had quite a good pre-season and then I picked up an injury at Huddersfield early in the season. I didn't handle that the best that I could have done. It's all a learning curve. I know what to do now but I'll get another big pre-season in me and get fighting for that shirt."
Ironically, Balmforth is now poised to line up against the side he played ten times for on loan. Catalans await on Thursday, with the player ready to go again.
He said: "It will be a bit strange, won't it, and a bit of a weird one, but I'm a Hull FC player and we've got a job to do. We still have a chance to get into the top six. Everyone's main focus is to get the win - some things are out of our control but we have to win our game first to put us into that top six bracket and that's what we're aiming to do.
And on his time at Catalans, Balmforth laughed: "I learnt the bread is really good over there, but I'm really pleased to be back playing. Going over to France and getting some valuable game time has done nothing but the world of good for me, but it's good to be home now.
"It was massive for me, my spell there - at this stage of my career I have to be playing regularly at the highest level possible, and then the opportunity came around to go there and play. It was something I couldn't really say no to to get that valuable experience. It's been massive for my personal development on and off the pitch.
"It was a bit crazy at first and it all happened quite quickly. I got a phone call on a Wednesday, and by the Thursday I was flying out, trained Friday, and played Saturday. It all happened quickly, but it's a beautiful place to be, the South of France, and I really enjoyed my time there."
And as for the game and Hull's top six push, Balmforth added: "I know the players and how they like to play, but I think everyone plays a similar style of rugby these days. It will be who wants it more on the day.
"But I can't really comprehend how different the environment is and the people who have come in and the general feel about the place now. I think it's on a completely different level and that's shown on the pitch. Off the pitch, the club is going in the right direction. It's only going forward, this place and long may that continue."