Germiston Simmer took on the Diggers, from Randburg, at the Germiston Stadium, on Saturday, June 28.
Simmer’s first team, who currently hold fourth position on the Gauteng Lions Senior Grand Challenge log, with two games in hand, went into the match with a number of challenges.
First, coach Maree Bester had to field a team who had no less than 11 players sidelined through injury or work commitments; he therefore called on players from Simmer’s second side to make up the team.
In addition to this, there was a three-week break between Saturday’s fixture and the club’s last match, against UJ, leading to a decrease in the team’s momentum.
These setbacks didn’t seem to affect the team, who played one of their best games in a while, winning the game 22-21.
This win keeps their hopes alive for contention for top position towards the end of the season.
Saturday’s game kicked off with a fair amount of pressure on all concerned; not on only was this a must-win game, but bonus points were also needed, meaning a four- try win was needed.
Shaun Thomas, playing at flank, provided the much needed push behind a scrum that never backed down.
Germiston Simmer had three tries, scored by Charles (Chucky) Moorcroft, JJ Visagie and Willem (Willa) Breytenbach, to Diggers’ two.
Unfortunately, none were converted by the home team and the teams went into the changing rooms on a score of 15-14 to Simmer at half time.
The second half saw a more guarded approach from both teams as the forward battle continued.
This, however, culminated in a try by Diggers in the 65th minute.
The subsequent conversion saw them move into the lead with 21 points.
Simmer responded with much needed character and camped on the Diggers line for long sessions and many phases, but to no avail.
The pressure did, however, reap rewards, as Simmer were awarded a penalty on the halfway line, three minutes before the final whistle.
Captain Charl (Gras) Wright asked Breytenbach to kick the ball out as close to the try line as possible, in order to set up an attacking lineout.
The feed into the lineout, taken by Damien van Wyk, was true to its mark and Rudi van der Westhuizen caught the ball, feeding it to waiting Simmer team mates.
Simmer then proceeded with a driving maul, with van Wyk marshalling from the back of the maul.
The initial momentum ceased slightly and the outside backs then joined in, to put more weight into the attack.
Diggers had no answer to this sustained pressure and Damien van Wyk crossed the try line to score in the last minute, bringing the score to 21-20 for Diggers.
Official game time had expired and Pieter Mocke had to put the conversion kick over for a win.
The kick was 5m from the touchline and, considering his poor kicking record on the day, Mocke had it all to do.
Coach Bester covered his head and nobody breathed a word as Mocke approached the ball and put over the most difficult kick of the day.
In other matches played on the day, the depleted Simmer second team were run off their feet and suffered a 63-0 loss to an on form Diggers second team.
The u-20s lost their match to their Diggers counterparts, 15-10.
The Simmer third team, consisting of a lot of older player affectionately named the “Ou Manne”, proved that they were healthy and well with an impressive 12-8 win over the Diggers third side.
Commenting on the matches, club chairman Rene Audier said: “I lost a lot of hair on Saturday through stress, but now can’t stop, smiled from ear to ear.
“I am confident the club will continue to make the community proud.”
The club have three matches left to play.
These are:
- An away match against KHOSA on Saturday, July 12.
- An away match against Eldoranians on Saturday, July 19.
- A home match against Wes Wits on Saturday, July 26.
These three matches will determine whether the team makes the semi-finals of the league.
