{"id":216840,"date":"2019-09-04T06:00:30","date_gmt":"2019-09-04T04:00:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/germistoncitynews.co.za\/?p=216840"},"modified":"2019-09-04T10:55:12","modified_gmt":"2019-09-04T08:55:12","slug":"simmer-crowned-senior-grand-challenge-champions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/develop.citizen.co.za\/germiston-city-news\/sports-news\/2019\/09\/04\/simmer-crowned-senior-grand-challenge-champions\/","title":{"rendered":"Simmer crowned Senior Grand Challenge champions"},"content":{"rendered":"

Germiston Simmer Rugby Club and Krugersdorp Harlequins recently met at the Alberton Rugby Club, in the last game of the Senior Grand Challenge.<\/p>\n

The match began in a true Senior Grand Challenge final style, with neither team wanting to make any mistake nor give their opponent an inch.<\/p>

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After several bone crunching tackles and back-and-forth play, Simmer was able to settle their nerves and get into the game.<\/p>\n

The club was the first to get some points of the scoreboard with a try from Eugene van der Merwe, who has shone throughout the season.<\/p>

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Harlequins didn\u2019t let Simmer\u2019s early lead rattle them and they pushed back hard.<\/p>\n

However, their efforts were met by a solid defence from Simmer, giving them no space to move.<\/p>\n

Simmer\u2019s Eben Barnard (junior) was able to find a small gap in the defence of Harlequins and scored the team\u2019s second try, followed by a conversion by Christopher Coleridge.<\/p>\n

Simmer went straight back to work and almost scored a third try before the half-time whistle blew. However, this wasn\u2019t possible and the clubs went into a break with Simmer in the lead, with a score of 12-0.<\/p>\n

Simmer coach Eben Barnard (senior) offered the players some words of encouragement before they took to the field for the second half.<\/p>\n

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In the opening minutes of the second half Harlequins were able to make their first score, followed by a successful conversion, bringing them back into the match.<\/p>\n

As the nerves started to creep back into the Simmer camp, Ruan du Randt made an impressive charge down mid-field, beating off four defenders to score a try.<\/p>\n

Soon after Charl Wright scored two more tries with the help of teammate Robbie Kruger and sealed a victory and title for Simmer.<\/p>\n

The match ended 29-7 to Simmer.<\/p>\n

Club chairperson Louis Britz was thrilled with the results and congratulated all involved in making the season a success, from the players and coaches to supporters and the community.<\/p>\n

\u201cA big thanks to the sponsors, Simmer Engineering, Mike\u2019s Kitchen Lambton and Impi Brewing CO. Without your support this wouldn\u2019t have been possible,\u201d Britz said.<\/p>\n

\u201cA big congratulations also goes to the Elsburg Rugby Club, who recently won the Kestrel League.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is great to see that rugby is alive and well in Germiston.\u201d<\/p>\n