On Saturday, Gary Fowell Builders Plains Rangers traveled to play Taupo, determined to put together a good performance.
Good conditions and a well groomed pitch set the scene for good football. The young home team moved the ball quickly and after ten minutes gave Rangers a real scare. Their striker found space for a shot which fortunately for Rangers bounced back off the post and was cleared. However, Rangers quickly got into gear. Lively left winger Jaiden Ibbetson took the ball to the line and pulled it across for striker John Stephen to bury in the net in emphatic style. Both teams were keen to attack. Taupo came close after twenty minutes, but on the half hour, Ibbetson repeated his move and right winger Jacob Heath raced in to sidefoot the ball into the Taupo goal. At half time the visitors were ahead 2 - 0.
Rangers increased their control of the game after the break, and after twenty minutes Andy Brabant pounced on a poor clearance and raced in to score. A good move saw the game well and truly safe for Rangers. Player-coach Richie Nillesen fed Ben McPherson, who drew the defence and passed the ball to John Stephen to score. In the final minutes, McPherson put the icing on the cake with a powerful strike for a final score of Taupo 0, Plains Rangers 5.
This was a good team performance from Rangers. Jordan Ogilvy was named player of the day. Others to shine included Kirk Bain and John Stephen. This Saturday Rangers have their third away game on the trot, with the well performed Te Puke side the opponents.

On Sunday there was the much anticipated local derby between Gary Fowell Builders Plains Rangers and Whakatane Town in the BOP women's league. A good crowd of supporters from both camps turned up at Awakeri. Whakatane used their strong midfield to keep a lot of pressure on Rangers, who stood up to it well. Determined tackling and good organising from Kate Collier and no-nonsense play by Kelly Wilson set the tone for Rangers. Whakatane moved the ball around well, and the speed of Lucy Potter made the difference. Potter grabbed a first half hat trick to have the visitors leading 4 - 0 at half time. Rangers kept on making their opponents work hard, with everybody doing their bit. The final score was 7 - 0 to the visitors. Kylie Keys was named player of the day for Rangers.
There are no scheduled games in the women's league this weekend.