New season brings highs and lows for Simmer
Germiston Simmer Rugby Club tackles the Golden Lions Rugby Union Pirates Grand Challenge.
The 2017 rugby season has begun and Germiston Simmer Rugby Club is ready to tackle it head on.
The club has already played three matches in the Golden Lions Rugby Union Pirates Grand Challenge, with two wonderful successes and one unfortunate failure.
The club began preparing for the season almost as soon as the last season had ended.
“After the euphoria of winning the Golden Lions Rugby Union Senior Grand Challenge the club began planning for the new season.
“We originally planned we would spend another year consolidating our performance within the same league and then gain promotion for the 2018 season to the top club league which is the Pirates Grand Challenge.
“However, this was not the case as the league was reworked.
“The proposal was welcomed by all as it provided a much needed progression into the Pirates Grand Challenge with the opportunity to almost organically grow into it rather than be thrust into a mix of predominantly strong clubs,” explained Dennis.
This year, the club fields five teams – a first, second and third senior team, as well as an u-21 and u-19 team – compared to only three last year.
- Matches:
On March 31, the club travelled to Randburg to face the Diggers Rugby Club.
The club’s first senior side ate their opponents 33 – 12.
The match was a repeat of the 2016 final where the two teams last met to battle it out for the league title.
Wentzel Niemand was in sublime form at fly half and kept the opposition guessing with his snipes and wrap arounds, and scored two tries in what could only be described as a man-of-the-match performance.
Simmer’s scrums provided a solid base from which to attack and the lineouts were dominated by the visiting side, while the forwards proved to be extremely mobile both in attack and defence.
New recruit Quintin Norris and team captain Andre van Heerden were also commended on their performance on the field.
Other results:
- The club’s second team were not as lucky on the field and lost their match against the Diggers second side 17 – 6.
- Simmer’s third senior side dominated their fixture beating the home side 26 – 7.
- In the U-21 clash the Diggers were able to beat back Simmer 24 – 14.
- Simmer’s U-19 side, affectionately known as the wild bunch, narrowly defeated their Diggers counterparts 15 – 10.
On April 8 Simmer travelled to Krugersdorp to face the Harlequins Rugby Club in their second match of the season.
The senior sides faced off with Simmer trouncing the home team 27 – 6.
Simmer continued the winning tactics they had developed in their previous match keeping their defence strong and keeping the Harlequins away from the try-line.
Wentzel Niemand, once again, delivered a star performance with brothers Armand and Morne van der Vyfer, the team’s locks, also dazzling on the field.
The club had strong scrums and the lineouts were great with many of the Harlequins lineout balls poached.
Armand van der Vyfer, Tinie Ras, Eric de Beer, Armand van Dyk and Quinton Norris scored the match’s tries with Anton Coetzee added 12 points to the total through conversions.
Other results:
- The club’s second senior side defeated the home side 24 – 10.
- Simmer’s third team suffered a crushing blow in their match, losing 57 – 7 to the Harlequins 57.
- The U-21 teams did not play.
- While Simmer’s U-19 team was hammered by the home side, losing 43 – 0.
On April 22 the club travelled to Johannesburg to tackle the Johannesburg Police Rugby Club (Bobbies).
Bobbies first team were able to run circles around their opponents winning the encounter 31 – 0.
The defeat gave Simmer a reality check midway through the first round of fixtures with 31 unanswered points against a hapless Simmer team.
Injuries and the absence of key players left the Simmer defence and attack lacking and the home side took full advantage of this.
“This was a true testament of the lack of depth within the club,” said Ryan Dennis on behalf of the club.
“The team came away from the match with a new determination and areas that they know need to focused on before the next big match against Alberton Rugby Club.”
Other results:
- Simmer’s second team were defeated 43 – 17 in their match.
- The club’s third team lost their match against 66 – 7.
- While Simmer’s U- 21 were able to beat back their Johannesburg Police counterparts winning the match 15 – 7.
- The club’s U- 19 team arrived late for their match and forfeited the points; the fixture thus shows 28-0 in the favour of Bobbies.
Germiston Simmer Rugby Club arose out of the amalgamation of the Germiston Rugby Club and the Simmer and Jack Rugby Club.
Much has been written in the past about its rich 110 year history.
“It is an interesting coincidence that we have to field 110 players in our 110th year,” said Dennis.
Though the club strives to keep the community of Germiston updated on matches and activities through social media, Twitter (@SimmerRugby) and Facebook (Germiston Simmer Rugby Club) and other platforms, they feel there is room for improvement.
“We have not drawn the crowds to our home events like we would have liked to.
“We realise that we are competing against many other activities available on weekends, but, continue to urge and encourage our community to attend the games and show their support,” said Dennis.
The club’s next home match will be on Saturday, May 13, against the Alberton Rugby Club.
Kick-off times:
- Third senior team: 1.15pm on Field A.
- Second senior team: 2.40pm on Field A.
- u-21 team: 2.40pm on Field B.
- u-19 team: 4pm on Field B.
- First senior team: 4pm on Field A.
Also read:
Elsburg Rugby Club ready to tackle new season
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