Sport

Dungannon make their cup intentions known

HOLDERS Dungannon are still very much on course to retain the Ulster Senior Cup

Mon Apr 28 1997 - 01:00

HOLDERS Dungannon are still very much on course to retain the Ulster Senior Cup. A facile 60-10 victory over North on Saturday propelled the Tyrone side into the semi-finals where they will meet Ballymena in what promises to be one of the best matches on the Ulster club front this season.

Ballymena themselves were only a shade less impressive at the weekend as they brushed aside the challenge of Portadown to win by 33-8.

The other semi-final will be contested by Malone, conquerors of Bambridge 35-9, and Queen's, who just managed to end gallant Ballinahinch's run by 13-10.

The mantle of favourites still rests on Dungannon's shoulders though. They have had custody of the cup for the past four years and on current form they will not be easily separated from their booty. Ten tries against North emphasised the pace and penetration within the side.

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Scrum-half Stephen Bell and outside-half partner, Ashley Blair each scored three tries, with Gary Leslie, Ronnie Carey, Michael Patton and Mark McCall grabbing the others. Blair converted five of the scores. North could only muster tries from Harry Gribben and Gareth Logan in replay.

Ballymena were pushed rather harder by Portadown, for whom former Eaton Park favourite Davey Tweed did some fine work in the lineout. Ballymena's overall forward strength proved too much, particularly in the tight, where they eventually forced Portadown into submission.

The winners were also well served at half-back, where Derek McAleese and Michael Beattie adopted an adventurous approach. The former's intelligent kicking was a potent weapon in the home side's armoury.

Ballymena had the best possible start when referee Patrick Harrower awarded them a penalty try in the opening minute following a collapsed scrum.

Malone were hard pressed for a lengthly spell by enthusiastic juniors Ban bridge before they secured victory.

Queen's were fully extended by Ballinahinch before they managed to come out on top. Queen's held a 10-0 interval advantage through a Peter Spence try and a conversion and penalty from Barry Hall.

A penalty try which Greg converted helped to keep Ballymena in touch at 10-7. and when Greg added a penalty it was stalemate. Six minutes from the end Hall clicked the penalty that took Queen's into the semi-final.