Under-13 Craven Week's final day
The Blue Bulls and Boland shared the spoils in the final match of the 2007 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 Golden Lions, suffered their third consecutive loss (8-5) against Western Province, and the Cinderella story of the spirited Border Country Districts came to the end when they was defeated 19-7 by Limpopo.
Match Reports
Valke vs Border, 22-5
The Valke 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 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 Valke scored 12 unanswered points in the last 20 minutes.
Free State vs Leopards, 14-14
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.
South Western Districts vs Griffons, 19-0
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 flank 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 vs Namibia, 51-0
Eight tries to none. To say that this game was a total mismatch would be an under statement. The Griquas dominated every aspect of the match to finish on a winning note. Right wing, 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 vs Zimbabwe, 17-17
Zimbabwe showed immense character to bounce back after their demoralizing 57-0 loss against South Western Districts. 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 flank, Warren Ganye, had another cracking match scoring a try in each half to keep his team in the running.
Eastern Province vs KwaZuluNatal, 10-5
This bruiser had the spectators nailed to their seats right to the end, but unfortunately for the team from KwaZulu Natal the Junior Elephants stepped up to the plate to hit KwaZulu Natal for a homerun. KwaZulu 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.
Western Province vs Golden Lions, 8-5
Defending champions the Golden 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 Golden 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 Golden Lions, but it became apparent that the pressure of playing in front of their home crowd was too taxing.
Limpopo vs Border Country Districts, 19-7
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 Country Districts a R5000 cash prize for their unsurpassed team spirit. Border Country Districts 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 19th minute and the following conversion, sealed the match.
Blue Bulls vs Boland, 8-8
No-one could have asked for a better finale to this year's 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.
Reports provided by Anthony Mackaiser
Final Day Results
Blue Bulls vs Boland, 8-8
Eastern Province vs KwaZulu Natal, 10-5
Free State vs Leopards, 14-14
Griquas vs Namibia, 51-0
Limpopo vs Border Country Districts, 19-7
Pumas vs Zimbabwe, 17-17
South Western Districts vs Griffons, 19-0
Valke vs Border, 22-5
Western Province vs Golden Lions , 8-5
Day 1 Results
Blue Bulls vs Griquas, 20-0
Boland vs Leopards, 18-12
Border Country Districts vs Namibia, 13-5
Eastern Province vs Pumas, 6-5
Golden Lions vs South Western Districts, 10-3
Griffons vs Zimbabwe, 17-10
Limpopo vs Border, 17-15
Valke vs Free State, 16-12
Western Province vs KwaZulu Natal, 7-5
Day 2 Results.
Blue Bulls vs Valke, 32-0
Boland vs Golden Lions , 3-0
Border Country Districts vs Griffons, 22-3
Border vs Free State , 15-5
KwaZulu Natal vs Pumas, 13-0
Leopards vs Griquas, 5-0
Limpopo vs South Western Districts, 10-3
Namibia vs Zimbabwe, 15-0
Western Province vs Eastern Province, 41-7
Day 3 Results
Blue Bulls vs Lions, 15-5
Boland vs Western Province, 7-0
Border Country Districts vs Valke, 19-18
Border vs Griquas, 12-12
Eastern Province vs Leopards, 15-0
Griffons vs Namibia, 21-8
Limpopo vs KwaZulu Natal, 11-10
South Western Districts vs Zimbabwe, 57-0
Teams
Blue Bulls: Nico Steenkamp (Constantiapark), Ruan Brink (Stephanus Roos), Lukas Gouws (Stephanus Roos), Jean Droste (Akasia), Riekert van Vuuren (Akasia), Pule Lebese (Babina Phuthi), Stefan Koen (Hennopspark), JD Makkink (Bakenkop), Louis Venter (Villieria), Vincent de Beer (Hermanstad), Marcus Kleinbooi (Queenswood), Thabo Phiri (Kokotla), Donovan Grobler (Stephanus Roos), Jabu Khanyile (Thakgalang), Jean-Gerbrand Schoeman (Rooihuiskraal), MC Venter (Olienpark), Gordon Titus (Fleur), Henrie (Menlopark), hago (Lynnwood), Odie Gaegane (Danie Malan), Dumisane Ndala (Meetseng), Given Mabaso (Tsaroga Poka), Curtley Diedericks (Danie Malan)
Boland: Wesley Adonis, Le-Aan Adonis, Courtney Barends, Kurtley du Plessis, Dawie Dyason, Andre Hansen, Phillip Jacobs, Joe-Lee Jafta, Damien Kordom, Andre Loubser, Marius Louw, Chad McKay, Brandon Meyer, Floris Mostert, Brendan Olivier, Oliver Regue, Nathan Smith, David Stofberg, Loek van der Merwe, Vincent van Niekerk, Jan-Christiaan van Reenen, Emile Williams
Border Country Districts: Asiphokuhle Bodlisa, Lutho Boyana, Onco Canga, Mandulo Dwakaza, Sandisile Gladile, Eric Jakuja, Sbongiseni Jamda, Lufefe Jiki, Zolisa Jula, Samkelo Libana, Aphiwe Lose, Sibulele Magqibelo, Msimelelo Majokweni, Melikhaya Melane, Siphenathi Mvimbi, Sikhulule Ndzo, Sihle Ngcani, Masibulele Ngcawe, Athenkosi Ntelezi, Sakheke Ntozakhe, Anele Nzimankulu, Xolile Pali, Okuhle Sifile