Ballymena won the game by 40-6 but it was Larne hat took an early lead when their skilful outhalf Stuart Andrews converted a penalty opportunity after just a few minutes of the game.
It was midway through the first half before the Ballymena team was able to register their first points of the game. Tight head prop, Stephen Hunter, finished off with a try that started with a turnover. The try was converted by Conor McNeill to give his team a 7-3 lead. McNeill was then successful with a penalty kick following a great break from his number 8, Ashton Logan and with Ballymena now in the ascendancy, second row Harry Johnston went over for an unconverted try to increase the lead to 15-3.
Larne displayed great resilience and got some reward for their endeavours when Andrews was successful with his second penalty of the evening to reduce the deficit to 15-6. Just on the stroke of half time, Hunter touched down for his second try of the game to give his team a 20-6 lead.
After the restart the Larne team was unfortunate to pick up a couple of second half injuries and their opponents stepped up the pace of their game. Scrumhalf Jonny Crooks touched down for an unconverted try to see the Ballymena increase their lead to 25-6. Replacement Ben McIlroy was on the end of good work from Logan and Crooks to touch down for a try 15 minutes into the second half. Back came Larne with a period of pressure but they just could not find any way through the Ballymena defence.
In the final seven minutes of the game the Ballymena team scored two tries through David Fullerton and McIlroy, which ensured it was the Braidmen that qualified for the quarter-final stage of the Nutty Krust Tournament with their 40-6 victory.
Following the game, Bobby Stewart, Senior Vice President of the Ulster Branch (IRFU), presented the Nutty Krust Man of the Match Award to Dillon McKillen, the Ballymena hooker, for his technical ability displayed throughout the game.
The next game in the Nutty Krust U18 Tournament will take place at Chambers Park on Wednesday 18th February when Clogher Valley will play Rainey in a match scheduled to kick off at 7.45pm.