Saturday's BOP division one clash between Gary Fowell Builders Plains Rangers and Ngongotaha stayed in top gear all the way through. Rangers started out on their home turf at a fast pace. After six minutes left winger Jacob Heath got to the line and pulled the ball back for John Stephen to smash home a good goal. The pressure was definitely on the visitors. Chances were created and squandered by the Rangers players. Midway through the first half another Rangers attack led to a Ngongotaha defender stopping a goal with his hand and he was sent off. Goalkeeper Christian Wetting stepped up to take the resulting penalty. He slotted it home and Rangers looked to have the game in the bag. However, Ngongotaha are a young team and they have plenty of heart. Rangers had them under pressure but, whenever they had the chance, they broke forward quickly. At half time it was 2 - 0 to Rangers.
The game continued the pattern after the break, but after twenty minutes the pressure told, with the visitors conceding an own goal. Soon after that Rangers lost James Krause to an ankle injury. Krause had been dynamic and his team will hope for a speedy recovery. Late in the game Jaiden Ibbetson raced down the left and put in a great cross. Ben McPherson slid in, his shot hitting the underside of the crossbar, but the referee couldn't see whether the ball had bounced down over the line or not and the goal was not awarded.
The game finished with a deserved 3 - 0 win to Plains Rangers. Ngongotaha will have to pick themselves up because they have the same opponents this Saturday, also at Awakeri in a Bay Sportsmed Bowl quarterfinal. Kickoff will be at 2 pm.
Rangers' defender James Hart did his job well and was named player of the day.
On Sunday Plains Rangers women were at home to Te Puke. Rangers had a good first half, competing well, but the visitors were ahead 3 - 0 at half time. Rangers continued to have chances early in the second half, but Te Puke ran away with the game later on, winning 10 - 0. Rangers' keeper Stacey Flintoff made quite a few very good saves and was player of the day. Maria Puutu, Holly Davis and Gillian Green also impressed with their determination.
This weekend Rangers women travel to play Taupo.