Josh Bingham scored a try in each half for Methody, with Conor Kelly also touching down in reply to an opening score from Inst captain Josh Atkinson.
Both sides showed signs of nerves early on with a few spilled passes and overcooked kicks to touch. Playing with a slight wind advantage in the first half, RBAI looked dangerous and Atkinson scored down the blindside following a slick pass from his scrumhalf Connor Young. Centre Nathan Brown was off target with his conversion attempt but his side were now five points to the good.
Methody responded with long periods of pressure and their forward dominance was starting to show, with captain Ross Kane and number 8 James Gallagher carrying well. However their excellent ball retention was well matched by the abrasive Inst defence.
RBAI suffered a double blow when Atkinson limped off with an ankle injury after 28 minutes and Methody levelled the scores just two minutes later. After a series of drives close to the fringes, the point of attack was shifted one out and outhalf Bingham darted over. The same player was unable to add the extras and then failed with a drop goal attempt right on the stroke of half time.
Half time: RBAI 5 - 5 Methody
Methody asserted further control after the interval and were rewarded for their endeavours after 42 minutes. A neat backline move gave the ball to right wing Rudi Benade and his excellent footwork and strong fend allowed him to transfer the ball to Conor Kelly who ran in under the posts. Bingham landed the simple conversion to extend the lead to 12-5.
Shortly after, Gallagher and Benade linked down the blind side and with Methody in possession just metres short of the try line, RBAI scrumhalf Connor Young was sin binned for a ruck infringement. But Methody also struggled with their discipline at times and Inst fullback Fraser Wright kept his side clear of danger.
That was until the 67th minute when Marc Campbell made a break and his grubber kick was collected by Bingham who won the foot race to touch down. Gallagher sent his touchline conversion attempt wide of the posts.
RBAI threw everything at the Methody defence in the dying minutes but they struggled to cross the gain line in the same way as their opponents had done throughout the 70 minutes.