Leaving it late

Sadly 2 student who seem to be finally putting some effort into a module have left it too late to effectively salvage their 30% group project. They chose (in October) to form a group of 5 friends (a sixth joined them eventually). They then left the work until 2 weeks before the deadline (wasting 5 weeks) as they felt it looked straightforward from my outline of the project. Finally they were (all) given an extension of a further 3 weeks and these two actually started the work with 2 weeks to go and have realised that (a) it is hard and that (b) their friends have given up on the module (either planning to plagiarise or hoping to pass on a summer resit.) ... this leaves them with 2 options: either form a splinter group (as they're the only ones working!) or 'vote' 0% effort for their friends. Neither choice is an easy one to take when working with friends, but if they're leaving you to do the work then and expecting to take credit for your effort then they are not showing the proper respect friendship enatails (IMO, of course!)
Moral:

1. Don't leave starting complex assignments until it's too late!
2. Tread carefully when group-working with friends -- remember mutual respect comes from both sides.
3. Manage your time!