Partizan juniors completed an unbeaten season after defeating Dorćol U18s, 24-22, in the Grand Final to become the new champions. The youngsters but had to wait the final whistle to celebrate the success, Dorćol missing a conversion late on that would have taken the game into extra time.

Partizan centre Branko ÄŒarapić opened the scoring with two tries inside eight minutes and Denis Bajrami extended the lead to give the Black-and-Whites a perfect start. Dorćol juniors kept their hopes alive through a Miloš Aleksić try two minutes before the break but Pavle Vojinović instantly replied to seemingly put Partizan in control.

But Dorćol started the second period in fine form with an Aleksa Radić double from consecutive sets and were close to another try but lost the ball. Partizan took advantage through Bajrami’s second try and Vladimir Milutinović added his second goal but from there on in it was all Dorćol. Second rower Radić touched down between the posts for his hat trick, Stefan Vukanović converting and, with six minutes remaining, winger Rade Spajić crossed in the corner to cut the deficit to only two points but Vukanović missed the kick from the touchline.

Serbian Rugby League Federation president Predrag Pantić awarded the impressive trophy to the new champions’ captain Kosta Stojković and praised the both teams, the intensity of the game and the quality of the competition.

“I am happy to see these two teams battle for the trophy until the very last gasp” he said. “The final was the finest end to a competition which had started back in May and proved that we shouldn’t worry about the next generation of players coming through. I congratulate not only the new champions Partizan but all the teams involved and I hope we will spread the base even wider in 2015.“

Partizan boss Admir Hadžić added: “We knew that if we failed to win the final, nobody would remember our previous record. I hope we will continue this way in new season as many of these boys will stay at this age group”.

Since the introduction of Serbian U18s Championships, no team has defended the title. Dorćol were the inaugural winners in 2011 followed by Radnički Nova Pazova and Voždovac in 2013. This year’s final was the first without Soko Vranje, who lost all three previous appearances in the title decider.