DUNGANNON have no intention of releasing their grip on the Ulster Senior Cup. That was made abundantly clear at Stevenson Park on Saturday when the Tyrone side careered to a facile 55-15 win over Ards to book a highly attractive home clash with North (conquerors of City of Derry at the weekend) in the next round.

The Dungannon pack exerted a stranglehold in the second half and nine tries bore ample testimony to their overall dominance. Carey (2), McCall (2), Walker, Beggs, Blair, Cardwell and Millar all crossed the Ards line with McGarry landing four conversions and Blair contributing another. For luckless Ards, Hamilton and Currie scored tries with Haslett adding a conversion and a penalty.

North had to chart a much more difficult course against Derry who galloped into a 20-12 lead with tries from Smith and Black with McGregor converting both scores and adding two penalties. Tries from Bruce Logan an, Gareth Logan, with the former's effort converted by Wilson, kept North in touch.

In the second half, North raised their game considerably. Gareth Logan swept in for his second try before Wilson also crossed the Derry line. Wilson and Lamont each landed a penalty with Wilson converting his own try to give his side a deserved victory.

Malone, who could yet pose the biggest threat to Dungannon's ambitions, carried too much experience and finishing power for Instonians whom they defeated 29-15.

Malone's leading figure was wing forward Stuart Duncan who not only helped himself to three tries but produced the kind of work rate which eventually wore down the opposition.

If there was a competitive element at Gibson Park, the same cannot be said of four other first round tries. Ballinahinch continued the remarkable season by walloping CIYMS 46-8 with Hedley (2), Seymour, Nelson, Rodgers and Greg all sharing in a try-scoring spree and Greg contributing five conversions and a penalty.

Portadown were equally convincing against Enniskillen winning by 45-6 while Bangor felt the full force of Ballymena's attacking armoury when they were swamped 48-3. Armagh were overwhelmed 67-0 by Banbridge.

Queen's University, though, were forced to battle against Collegians before they emerged on top by 21-12.