DUNGANNON'S four-year dominance of the First Trust Ulster Senior Cup was ended by a fired-up Ballymena side which won Saturday's semi-final at Ravenhill by 16-6.

Forward control, power and discipline paved the way for Ballymena's entry into the final where they will meet Malone on Saturday.

Stronger in the set-pieces and more mobile in the loose, Ballymena exerted spells of pressure which eventually wore their opponents down. Dungannon battled courageously and at times threatened Ballymena, particularly through wingers Casey and Davis. However, the Ballymena cover invariably managed to snuff out the danger.

The Dungannon back row of Dunne, Hastings and Curry worked hard but it was Longwell in the Ballymena second row who was the outstanding forward. Dean MaCartney was an influential figure in the back row.

It was outhalf Derek McAleese who sent Ballymena on their way in the 15th minute when he scored a penalty. It was no surprise when they added a second, McAleese again the marksman in the 30th minute. Their 6-0 interval advantage scarcely did Ballymena justice but they went further ahead in the 45th minute when McAleese completed a hat-trick of penalties.

And Ballymena virtually wrapped up the match three minutes later. Quick ruck ball allowed winger David Smyth to break free and when he fed Sheldon Coulter the fullback's strength took him through two tackles and over the Dungannon line for McAleese to add the points.

In the 53rd minute, Dungannon's David Callaghan scored a penalty. He landed a second in the 61st minute butt the comeback was in vain.