/ 15 July 2007

Free State demolish WP in Craven Week final

Free State were crowned the top team at the 2007 Coca-Cola Under-18 Craven Week after scoring a one-sided 52-3 win over hosts Western Province (WP) in the tournament’s final game at Paul Roos Gymnasium in Stellenbosch on Saturday.

WP scored first, but from there on it was all one-way traffic as Free State scored seven tries without reply and completely overwhelmed a WP side who were not allowed to get any momentum and were unable to find a way through a solid Free State defence.

Free State flyhalf Josias Ebersohn scored two of his team’s tries, converted all seven and added a penalty for a personal haul of 27 points. His twin brother, inside centre Robert, also got a try to complete a fantastic performance by the pair who were the destroyers-in-chief of the WP defence.

Although they were better in the second half and enjoyed enough possession, WP could not find a way through and were beaten by a better side that could almost score points at will. — Sapa

Match results on the final day

WP (3) 3 vs Free State (28) 52

Pumas (0) 7 vs Lions (3) 16

Blue Bulls (3) 27 vs KwaZulu-Natal (24) 24

Zimbabwe (15) 22 vs Namibia (13) 18

Border Country Districts (17) 30 vs Border (7) 19

Griquas (15) 46 vs Eastern Province (13) 27

Boland (5) 31 vs Leopards (9) 14

South-Western Districts (7) 24 vs Griffons (14) 14

Falcons (13) vs 20 Limpopo (5) 5