Blue Bulls coach Heyneke Meyer's promise that his team would play with pride and passion in their last home game of the season came true on Friday when they beat the highflying Falcons 23-15 in Top Eight encounter at Minolta Loftus.

The Bulls won because they dominated up front and gave the Falcons' streamlined backs little chance to get into gear. They also gave away less critical penalties and defended like Trojans in the latter part of the match.

The fact that the Falcons had to go home without any bonus points means that they are now in real danger of not reaching the semifinal.

Most of the first half was a torrid affair with both teams making so many basic mistakes that it came as no surprise that the first points were only scored in the 20th minute through a penalty by Bulls centre Boeta Wessels.

The Bulls, who had the better of the first half as far as possession and territorial advantage went, ended strongly by scoring two tries in the last four minutes.

The Falcons lost the slight edge they had in the backline when fullback Dawie du Toit had to leave the field in the 24th minute of the first half due to a hamstring injury. That meant that they had no reliable place kicker to fall back on which proved to be decisive in the end.

The Bulls looked well set after increasing their halftime to 16-3 in the 13th minute of the second half, but the Falcons hit back almost immediately by scoring a long distance try after some brilliant supportive play.

Scorers:

Bulls - Tries: Danie Rossouw, McNeil Hendricks, Wessel Roux; Conversion: Boeta Wessels; Penalties: Wessels (2).

Falcons - Tries: Ralf Schroeder, Wynand Lourens; Conversion: Juan Houtshamer; Penalty: Houtshamer. - Sapa