Phil Werahiko’s side mustered tries from Niall O’Brien, Derek Keane, the league’s top try-scorers with five, Peter O’Brien and New Zealand flanker Jacob Ellison to fly into a 27-7 half-time lead.

Bottom side Ballymena looked shell-shocked and light years away from the Braidmen sides that had beaten ‘Tarf in four of the sides’ last five league meetings.

Scrum-half David O’Hara and right winger Andrew Spence both crossed for Steph Nel’s visitors either side of the break, with Dirkie Strydom slotting one conversion, but in a repeat of the 2003 final, there was only ever going to be one winner.