The Germiston Stadium was a hub of activity as Germiston Simmer Rugby Club faced the Union Rugby Club, fondly known as the Union Bulldogs, on Saturday.
The teams faced each other in the Golden Lions Rugby Union Pirates Grand Challenge.
Simmer’s first team took to the field with Anton Coetzee as flyhalf and Andre Bornman and Andre Schultz as centre pairing.
The match was as thrilling as promised with neither team wanting to give an inch to their opponent.
Simmer was able to score the first try of the match, right under the posts, through the efforts of Eric de Beer and Quintin Norris.
The match was hard-hitting and fast-paced and saw tough tackles from both sides, including crucial midfield tackles by Bornman and Schultz which put a stop to a number of Union’s advances.
The match came down to the wire with each team scoring a try in the closing moments, bringing the score to 25-24 in favour of Simmer.
With only two minutes left on the clock, every Simmer and Union fan held their breath, waiting to see which team would come out on top.
Simmer, however, were able to hold back the Union onslaught and came out victorious.
“It was not pretty but it was a win,” said captain Andre van Heerden after the match.
Norris was commended for his efforts on the field, while Armand van Dyk was named man of the match.
Other results:
- Simmer’s second senior team won their nail-biting match 17-15, with young lock JP Loots stepping up to captain the team and showing his leadership qualities and excellent decision making skills on the field.
- Simmer’s third senior team were trumped by their Union opponents, 40-0.
- Simmer’s u-21 game proved to be a tough match with the home side only able to score once in the match.
They were defeated by Union 7-12.
- Simmer’s u-19 team’s game was fast paced and Union played with enough vigour to come out on top, winning 12-0.
Coaches Maree Bester and Moses Venter were thankful for the support shown by the community.
The first match in the second round of the Golden Lions Rugby Union Pirates Grand Challenge will be played on June 24 and the list of fixtures is yet to be released.
“During this round of fixtures we have noticed a steady decrease in the number of players attending practices and matches and I request for players to return to Germiston Simmer Rugby Club for practices and matches heading into round two,” said Ryan Dennis, on behalf of the club.
Also read:
Successful away match for Germiston Simmer
Difficult match for Germiston Simmer
New season brings highs and lows for Simmer
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