The Blue Bulls and Boland shared the spoils in the final match of the 2007 Coca-Cola Under-13 Craven Week, playing to an 8-all draw on the final day of the tournament at Monument High School in Krugersdorp on Friday.

The two sides, as well as surprise package Limpopo were the only teams to finish the Week undefeated.

Defending champions, the Lions, suffered their third consecutive loss (8-5) against Western Province, and the Cinderella story of the spirited Border CD came to the end when they was defeated 19-7 by Limpopo.

Reports on the final day

Falcons 22 (5), Border 5 (5)

The Falcons can hold their heads up high after ending the week on a winning note. The Red Devils were held at bay in the first half, but in the second half there was only one team in the game, with flyhalf Anthony William van Vuuren leading his team’s onslaught with two tries in the second half. The team from the Eastern Cape had no answer as the Falcons scored 12 unanswered points in the last 20 minutes.

Free State 14 (7), Leopards 14 (7)

With basically only pride at stake, both teams climbed in from the word go. The final scoreline is a fairly true reflection of the run of play. The Leopards drew first blood when their hooker and captain, Zybran Lombaard, scored the first try of the match in the 5th minute and outside centre Johannes Groenwald converted to give his team an early lead. Free State battled throughout the week and to end the week on a high note was not negotiable. Free State’s, captain and eightman, Duard Mcleod, led from the front and his try in the 11th minute sparked his team’s comeback. The two penalties that Groenewald missed could have turned the game on its head, but at the end both teams had to be happy with a draw.

SWD 19 (12), Griffons 0 (0)

One way traffic from start to end. The Eagles controlled this match completely and despite glimmers of hope the Griffons’ dark cloud had no silver lining. Munzeer Latief, quicksilver flanker who scored a hat trick earlier the week had a cracker of a match yet again. Both teams exhausted their reserve benches with 9 substitutions in total made in the second half.

Griquas 51 (22), Namibia 0 (0)

Eight tries to none. To say that this game was a total missmatch would be an under statement. The Griquas dominated every aspect of the match to finish on a winning note. Right winger, Drian Spangenberg, stole the lime light with the four tries, but his team mate and inside centre Craig Koopman, was snapping at his heels with an impressive hat trick. Inside centre Raymond Sequiera also showed his class with two tries.

Pumas 17 (10), Zimbabwe 17 (10)

Zimbabwe showed immense character to bounce back after their demoralizing 57-0 loss against SWD. On Thursday, the Pumas lost narrowly (15-17) against the Free State, but to be fair both teams had enough opportunities at goal to wrap up the game. Both teams defended like tigers, but the finishing of both was found wanting.

Zimbabwe’s stalwart flanker, Warren Ganye, had another cracking match scoring a try in each half to keep his team in the running.

EP 10 (0), Natal 5 (0)

This bruiser had the spectators nailed to their seats right to the end, but unfortunately for the team from KZN the Junior Elephants stepped up to the plate to hit Natal for a homerun. Natal battled throughout the week and their only victory (13-0) over the Pumas was the their sole highlight. Their narrow loss against Western Province (7-5) and Limpopo (11-10) earlier most definitely had an effect on their morale. But all and all they can hold their heads up high.

WP 8 (3), Lions 5 (0)

Defending champions the Lions, have only themselves to blame for their third successive loss. Critical handling errors and over eagerness was yet again their downfall. The Capetonians kept cool under pressure and their speedsters kept the Lions’ defenders busy throughout the match. For the losing team the captain Janrij Dorfling (flank) proved yet again that there lies a bright future ahead for the youngster from Fairlands Primary school. Much was expected from the Lions, but it became apparent that the pressure of playing in front of their home crowd was too taxing.

Limpopo 19 (16), Border CD 7 (0)

It was good as long as it lasted, but unfortunately the spirited team from the Eastern Cape was convincingly beaten by Limpopo. After the match a local business gave Border CD a R5000 cash prize for their unsurpassed team spirit. Border CD played as if their lives depended on it, but the damage was already done in the first half. The fullback, Jesse du Toit and Johannes Marais slotted through three penalties and Johannes Bannink’s try in the 19 minute and the following conversion, sealed the match.

Blue Bulls 8 (8), Boland 8 (0)

No-one could have asked for a better finale to this year’s Coca-Cola Under-13 Craven Week. Boland were the underdogs, but their massive pack and fleet footed backline showed tremendous courage to spoil the Bulls’ victory party. Dovan Grobler outside centre of the Blue Bulls scored five tries in four games to top the points table. Grobler burst through in the 15th minute to help his team to a halftime lead, but the boys in black had other ideas.

Even though the Bulls played great rugby, the team from the Western Cape was awarded the R5000 prize money for producing the most exciting rugby at the week. Boland’s instant hero was fullback De Villiers Stofberg who scored a brilliant try in the 30th minute and slotted through a penalty to keep his team in the running.