The red-hot favourites, however, didn't have it all their own way as the plucky Hawks took a surprise 8-6 lead halfway through the first half.

After completing at about 50 per cent in the opening 40 the Boomies took a 16-8 lead to the break before clicking into gear in the second half to run away 38-point winners.

Tries to Wayne Swan, Will Fernando and a 70-metre individual effort from Jason Saunders provided the spark to an otherwise frustrating opening half punctuated by errors.

Coach, Chris Binge, said the enormity of the occasion may have played a role in his side's slow start.

"I'm only one piece of the puzzle but I think for us to do what we did today and create the biggest piece of history the club's ever had and go back-to-back means a lot and I think the players knew that and probably let it get to them a bit early," he said.

Binge's half-time message to be more direct paid dividends as they ran in a further seven second-half tries.

Full report in Tuesday's Champion.