As it happens, Wairarapa-Bush went on to lose to Wanganui 23-20 but Simmonds was "really rapt" with the strong showing against the defending champions and, typically, wasn't about to dwell on a couple of close calls that went against his side and might well have changed the end result.
"That's rugby isn't it," he said. "You'll always get the odd decision which goes against you and you just have to deal with it."
Simmonds puts the improvement made by Wairarapa-Bush in 2012 - they won just the one Heartland game the previous season - to the "amazing feeling" within the squad on and off the field of play.
"Everybody was working for each other, there was a really strong bond there," he said.
Pleasing too for Simmonds was the strong support given the squad from the local rugby fraternity.
"It was great to have so many fans cheering us on, some of the away games were more like home games in that respect. It helped the guys no end."
Broken arm and all, Simmonds is already looking forward to the 2013 season when he is adamant Wairarapa-Bush will launch an even stronger challenge for Meads Cup spoils.
"Quite frankly I can't wait to get out there again."
