{"id":63462,"date":"2014-07-07T10:50:00","date_gmt":"2014-07-07T08:50:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/germistoncitynews.co.za\/63462\/nail-biting-game\/"},"modified":"2014-07-07T12:31:06","modified_gmt":"2014-07-07T10:31:06","slug":"nail-biting-game","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/develop.citizen.co.za\/germiston-city-news\/sports-news\/2014\/07\/07\/nail-biting-game\/","title":{"rendered":"Nail-biting game"},"content":{"rendered":"

Germiston Simmer took on the Diggers, from Randburg, at the Germiston Stadium, on Saturday, June 28.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>

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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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>

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These setbacks didn’t seem to affect the team, who played one of their best games in a while, winning the game 22-21.<\/p>\n

This win keeps their hopes alive for contention for top position towards the end of the season.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Shaun Thomas, playing at flank, provided the much needed push behind a scrum that never backed down.<\/p>\n

Germiston Simmer had three tries, scored by Charles (Chucky) Moorcroft, JJ Visagie and Willem (Willa) Breytenbach, to Diggers’ two.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

The second half saw a more guarded approach from both teams as the forward battle continued.<\/p>\n

This, however, culminated in a try by Diggers in the 65th minute.<\/p>\n

The subsequent conversion saw them move into the lead with 21 points.<\/p>\n

Simmer responded with much needed character and camped on the Diggers line for long sessions and many phases, but to no avail.<\/p>\n

The pressure did, however, reap rewards, as Simmer were awarded a penalty on the halfway line, three minutes before the final whistle.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Simmer then proceeded with a driving maul, with van Wyk marshalling from the back of the maul.<\/p>\n

The initial momentum ceased slightly and the outside backs then joined in, to put more weight into the attack.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Official game time had expired and Pieter Mocke had to put the conversion kick over for a win.<\/p>\n

The kick was 5m from the touchline and, considering his poor kicking record on the day, Mocke had it all to do.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

The u-20s lost their match to their Diggers counterparts, 15-10.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

“I am confident the club will continue to make the community proud.”<\/p>\n

The club have three matches left to play.<\/p>\n

These are:<\/p>\n